Norway’s Mowinckel Becomes First Skier To Be Disqualified Under New Rule Banning Fluorinated Wax

SOELDEN, Austria — Ragnhild Mowinckel of Norway sobbed as she exited the finish line of the season-opening women’s World Cup race on Saturday after being disqualified for using an illegal type of wax on her skis.

Mowinckel, a two-time Olympic silver medalist from the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, was sixth after the first leg of the giant slalom when her skis failed the necessary post-run test, forcing her out of the competition.

Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland won the event, with Mikaela Shiffrin finishing sixth.

This season, a rule prohibits using fluorinated wax in the pre-race preparation of skis.

After years of debate over the possible harm fluorinated wax can have to health and the environment, FIS prohibited the material from its competition.

Norway’s Mowinckel Becomes First Skier To Be Disqualified Under New Rule Banning Fluorinated Wax

“We have to figure out what happened.” We are not attempting to cheat because it would be the worst thing for me,” Mowinckel told Norwegian television station TV 2.

According to Peter Gerdol, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s women’s race director, all skis were tested for the banned drug after both runs.

“This was the only ski that showed quite a high value, way more than the minimum threshold, so the jury had no other option than to disqualify the athlete,” Gerdol said.

The choice surprised Head, Mowinckel’s equipment provider.

“The worst-case scenario has occurred. “We have no explanation,” stated race director Rainer Salzgeber.

Salzgeber claims that two days prior, Mowinckel’s ski technician had FIS officials test her skis “with the same preparation,” and “everything was green.” It’s now a deep red.”

Ski technicians have been using fluorinated wax for decades, not only in Alpine but also in cross-country skiing. It makes skis faster by creating a coating that repels moisture and debris. As a result, friction between the ski’s bottom and the snow surface is minimized, allowing for increased speed.

SOURCE – (AP)