After the scandal about manipulated suits in ski jumping, combined combined Nathalie Armbruster damage for further disciplines. The scandal and the possible consequences are a big topic in the team.
Actually, happy fans, exuberant atmosphere and sporting best performances should be remembered by the Nordic Ski World Cup in Trondheim. After manipulating the suits of the Norwegian ski jumping team, the colorful picture suddenly has grayscale-manipulation is not just an issue in ski jumping teams, fans and those responsible. “It all concerns us all,” says Nathalie Armbruster, Nordic combined from Freudenstadt, in an interview with SWR Sport.
When the Norwegians Johann Andre Forfang, Marius Lindvik and Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal were disqualified last Saturday and the Norwegian association finally admitted fraud on Sunday, the Nordic combined person was already at home. The scandal was not only on the front pages of the big daily newspapers in Norway. “We sit about it while eating and talking about it. We are walking and talking about it. There are so many open questions,” says Armbruster.
Nathalie Armbruster: “Shocked about fraud”
And these open questions have not become less in the past few days. Jan Erik Aalbu, sports director of the Norwegian ski jumping team, tried this with a press conference on Sunday. The association only suspended coach Magnus Brevig, then other employees from the staff of the Norwegian team. But instead of answers, the appearance raised even more questions.
“I am just shocked that so consciously cheated and manipulated,” said Armbruster. “Because of course it happens that you lose two kilos for the season and the abdominal circumference no longer fits, and then the suit is too big. That is also a violation of the rules.” The manipulation of the Norwegians, which strengthens the seams of the suits and are therefore said to have provided more stability in the crotch that is so important for ski jumping, is something else. “That is definitely fraud.”
Approval for expert Hannawald
She doubts that the affected jumpers do not want to feel anything of it – and finally their innocence in the scandal. “Ski jumping is such a sensitive sport and I am sure: As good as Lindvik and Forfang jump, they are also very sensitive athletes and have a good feeling, also for their material,” explains the combined man. “I can’t imagine that the two of them did not feel that something like this has been changed in their suit.”
Also ARD ski jump expert Sven Hannawald was last sure. “I can only agree with Sven Hannawald,” said Armbruster. “It must have been a very stable material – and I’m sorry. Nobody can tell me that the two didn’t know that.”
Discussions about combiners Graabak
The scandal about manipulated suits – it has only affected only ski jumping. But a combinator was also disqualified with Jörgen Graabak at the Nordic Ski World Cup. He is said to have jumped in the team competition with a “non-proper binding”. “You can hear so many facets now,” reveals the crossbower. The discussions about the manipulated bond with Graabak’s ski, which is said to have been replaced by another for control after the competition, ensures a need for conversation. “This has a very bland aftertaste. Everything is just doing insanely suspicious. It’s a shame for our sport and just hurts so much. “
That is human, according to the 19 -year -old athlete, but she also says: “Unfortunately, because we cannot be sure that something was not done to the combineds.
Also follow for the Nordic combination?
The first sponsors have already withdrawn from the Norwegian ski jumpers. It could also have consequences for the Nordic combination. “This is also a problem for us because the funds are missing when it comes to organizing a World Cup,” believes Armbruster. The weekends together with the other disciplines could become much more difficult in the future, especially in Norway.
At the end of the season, crossbowers and their teammates go to Oslo again – but with mixed feelings. “I am looking forward to Oslo because it will be our last World Cup and the first time. Of course I have in the back of my head what went off at the World Cup. But I just hope that it will be a fair competition,” she says. With this hope, Nathalie Armbruster should not be alone.
Broadcast on Wed., 12.3.2025 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
