The Fis is therefore trying to implement a zero-tolerance policy, examining even more details and justifying the exclusions in more detail than before. The national associations are also registering this. “We’re already observing it and evaluating it. I think you get the feeling that the Fis has it under control much better than in the last three years,” said DSV sports director Horst Hüttel. The German team has not been affected by any disqualifications around the turn of the year, unlike the Norwegians.
Halvor Egner Granerud’s suit was once too long. During the women’s two-night tour that has already ended, Anna Odine Strøm had a second sole inserted into her socks. Sven Hannawald, who has been criticizing the mild sanctions for months, was particularly angry that there were disqualifications against Norwegians again after the Trondheim incidents. Strøm leaves him “stunned”.
Head coach Christian Mayer later explained that Strøm had been suffering from a misaligned hip since a fall. But the association submitted the necessary certificate for the second sole late. Hannawald condemned the action: “Afterwards you can come up with all sorts of excuses.” He would advise the Norwegians to deal with it transparently and contact the FIs.
The discovery of banned fluorine wax by Paweł Wąsek from Poland also caused a stir in Innsbruck. Although this wax also improves the gliding ability slightly, it is no longer permitted, primarily for health reasons. The Polish team identified contamination at the manufacturer as the reason.
Austria’s sports director sharply criticized the incidents and even publicly spoke of manipulation: “It really annoys me to no end,” said 48-year-old Mario Stecher to Austrian media in Innsbruck, according to the APA news agency. “For me this is absolutely manipulation. That doesn’t work.”