PARIS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The fourth stage of International Ski Federation (FIS) Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany has been cancelled due to severe weather, announced the sport's ruling body FIS on Wednesday.

"Heavy rain and strong winds made the competition course not safe for the athletes. The competition has halted after the ladies' prologue before the men began," FIS said in a statement.

"The ladies' sprint qualification times will not count towards the Tour de Ski but will count for FIS points," it added, saying that discussions continue between the FIS Jury and the local Organizing Committee in Oberstdorf, regarding damage to the courses to be used from Thursday's mass start competitions.

Tour de Ski is a cross-country skiing event held annually since the 2006-2007 season in Europe, modeled on the prestigious road cycling event Tour de France.