Calle Halfvarsson feels that Norwegians were favored in Ruka.
Calle Halfvarsson used all the space he could find on the track. KIMMO BRANDT/AOP
Swedish Calle Halfvarsson was rejected in the men’s cross-country freestyle 20 km pursuit race in Ruka. Halfvarsson crossed the finish line initially in third place. The reason for the rejection was skiing outside the marked ski slope.
The breakdown of Halfvarsson, 33, happened on the last climb of the last lap, confirmed the race director of Fis Michal Lamplot. However, it can be seen from the TV pictures that he was not the only one who used his “own track”.
Norwegians too Hans Christer Holund (race 8) and Erik Valnes (10th) exceeded the marks during the race, Holund no less than twice. Possible fouls were already seen in the first round.
However, Halfvarsson was the only disqualifier, and his third place was taken by Italy’s Federico Pellegrino. The Swedish team made a counter-protest about the rejection, which, however, did not go through.
The Norwegians escaped unpunished. PDO
The Swedish team had misunderstood Fis’ instructions. According to their understanding, the tassels marking the course on the hill in question should not be crossed when going downhill, but going in the other direction, i.e. going uphill, it would be different.
The Norwegian cannon skier Johannes Kläbo won the competition. This countryman Paul Golberg skied second.
– The key factor is that the breakdown affected the final result – Calle gained an advantage when he overtook competitors from the outside of the track. Therefore, the sanction is rejection, Lamplot said for Aftonbladet.
Harsh criticism
Crossing such tassels proved fatal for Halfvarsson. PASI LEISMA
Calle Halfvarsson was understandably furious about the situation, and he was speechless.
– I don’t think I did anything wrong. There they were grinning in the jury room. Maybe they wanted an Italian on the podium. That’s bullshit. Similar things have happened many times and only warnings have been issued. Now it was me and it had to be a direct rejection, the Swede uploaded.
Fisi’s ethical guidelines contain a rule that stipulates: “competitors must behave in a matter-of-fact and sportsmanlike manner towards members of the organization’s committee, volunteers, judges and the public.”
Czech Michel Lamplot said that if necessary, he would speak directly with the Swedish team.
Watch the exciting final decision of the competition in the video:
The Skiing World Cup can be watched on Elisa Viihde Viaplay and V sport channels.