RUMFORD — Organizers of the U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships have rescheduled the men’s and women’s freestyle sprints for Tuesday.

The competitions were originally scheduled to begin today at Black Mountain, but poor skiing conditions caused by overnight rains led to their postponement.

11:49 a.m.

RUMFORD — Due to substantial overnight rain, all races for the 2012 US Cross Country Championships at Rumford’s Black Mountain were postponed today.

The rains saturated the manmade snow, and race organizers said they now must wait until the snow drains before the trails can be regroomed.

Over the next 24 hours temperatures are forecast to drop quickly to more seasonal sub-freezing numbers. Organizers said they will will meet later today to determine when the races can be rescheduled.

9:42 a.m.

RUMFORD — Some of the nation’s best Nordic skiers are in Maine for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships.

For the second straight year, Black Mountain in Rumford is hosting the competition. Races begin today and run through Sunday with race distances ranging from under a kilometer to 30 kilometers.

More than 400 entries have been received for the races.

Today’s schedule includes short sprint races for both men and women, as well as an opening ceremony during which a representative of Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office will present an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol to the Chisholm Ski Club, which is hosting the event.