Three disqualifications in less than seven days for the Slovenian ski jumping stars ensure noticeable aftermath: After Timi Zajc was disqualified by the mixed team in Willingen, the Slovenian association announces legal steps. The athlete, his trainer and the FIS managers do not explain on site of the writing press.
With the introduction of chips in the jump suits of the ski jumpers, the Ski World Association (FIS) had hoped to put an end to the ongoing discussions about possible material advantages. But at the latest with team jumping in Willingen on Friday you can call this attempt to fail.
Timi Zajc, who won a ski flying in Oberstdorf last weekend, was disqualified in the first round of mixed team jumping because the vastness of his step was too great. In the second round, which he had to jump with the same suit due to the regulations introduced in summer, everything he suddenly acknowledged was that he acknowledged in his own way.
He demonstratively stretched up at the exit to show the whole world how big his suit is and followed in an interview with the Slovenian radio “RTV”: “A circus was obvious during ski jumping Started in the competition, you (the FIS, editor’s note) had to stop us, you had to bring the Germans to the podium. “
The writing press, in which the interviews are not mandatory after the competition, was not available – and was not alone. Shortly afterwards, his coach Robert Hrgota made hints to get into the mixed zone, but was personally stopped by FIS race director Sandro Pertile and a serious four-eye conversation. Almost like two boxers while weighing, the two were opposite and the Italian talked on the Slovenes with a dark expression.
This finally prompted Hrogta to make a statement not to take a position on this evening. “Tomorrow, when the emotions have subsided,” he said in a smacked manner. FIS material controller, the Austrian Christian Kathol, did not even look at the mixed zone after his statements at TV and radio stations. The statement, on the other hand, was all the more clear, which a little later the Slovenian Association SZS published and which one sport.de is present.
Escalation in the suit zoff threatens
There it says: “In the past two weeks there have been several disqualifications of Slovenian ski jumpers, which in our opinion are unjustified. Yesterday the Slovenian ski association officially warned the director of the FIS World Cup ski jumping that the recent decisions during the equipment control Compliance with clear and the same rules. Say: that only the inspectors have knowledge of the rules, but not the controlled.
Based on this impression, the association already “actively actively provide all the necessary data, since we want to present the case of overarching authorities.” The association initially left open which authorities are meant, but announced another statement for the coming week, “if all other legal and formal steps are initiated.”
The previously pronounced warning is an almost unique process in ski jumping and exceeds the case, which also occurred in Willingen in 2022 when DSV national coach Stefan Horngacher took a protest against the spring shoes of the Poles, which they were then no longer allowed to use.
A legal dispute between a national ski association and the internationally due to disqualifications and doubts about the controls carried out would undoubtedly be the next escalation level – and truly further bad advertising for ski jumping sports.