First fluorine disqualification in the Ski World Cup: “Disaster”

The athlete was disqualified after the first giant slalom run of the Alpine Ski World Cup opener for violating the recently implemented ban on fluorine wax. The great fears in the ski circus came true in the very first race, Mowinckel’s ski company Head spoke of a “disaster”.Sölden. The world association FIS described the disqualification of the originally sixth-placed Norwegian as the only possible option. The determined proportion of fluorine was far too high. “The worst case has occurred. We absolutely cannot explain it,” said head racing director Rainer Salzgeber to the APA – Austria Press Agency. “The service man took the racing skis to the FIS check measurement two days ago with exactly this preparation. Everything was green. And today it is dark red.”

The use of fluoro wax has been banned since this season

The use of fluoro wax has been banned since this season. Certain fluorine compounds (C8) are suspected of being carcinogenic and cannot be broken down in nature. The FIS implemented a corresponding EU directive.

• Read more: Neureuther to Braathen: “I would marry you”

Three days before the race, the FIS raised the limit from 1.0 to 1.8 in order to avoid disqualification. According to reports, the value at Mowinckel was in the double-digit range. “We tested twice. During the race and again afterwards with the jury. Making this decision is a must,” said FIS Chief Race Director Peter Gerdol.

Even before the season, there were fears that there could be unjustified disqualifications due to measurement errors. A number of associations, including the ÖSV, described the measurement method as incomprehensible and possibly half-baked.

Measurements are made using infrared spectroscopy. This means that a beam of light is shot onto the ski surface. The reflected light is analyzed and the substances can be determined based on the wavelengths. The associations and ski companies know nothing about the software parameters behind the device.