"Great chaos": Cheating allegations against Austrian ski jumpers

Shortly before the New Year's ski jumping event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the FIS dismissed Norwegian allegations of cheating against the Austrian ski jumpers as false.

31 December 2025

From: apa

Norwegian media had previously questioned the legality of the bindings used by Austrian skier Manuel Fettner, but the International Ski Federation (FIS) clarified the matter in a statement. "The bindings have been in use for about ten years and have been approved," the statement read. ÖSV head coach Andreas Widhölzl described the whole affair as "a huge mess."

"Much ado about nothing," said a FIS spokesman on New Year's Eve. WATER“An old story.” A photo of Fettner’s binding was taken in Oberstdorf and leaked to international media, which is why the accusations arose. The Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet He speculated about a “homemade”, “suspicious” and possibly “illegal” relationship.

Binding offers no advantage

The FIS clarified at Tuesday's Team Captains Meeting that Fettner's adapted binding has been approved for years. "This binding was adapted because Manuel Fettner has a different ski jumping boot than everyone else. This change was necessary for it to work with his boot at all. There is no advantage," explained Widhölzl. Binding manufacturer Slatnar also stated that this modification has no impact on the athlete's performance.

The binding used by Austrian ski jumper Manuel Fettner is legal. © APA/afp / PHILIPP GUELLAND

Almost exactly ten months after the Norwegian scandal involving manipulated suits at the home World Championships, the ski jumping circuit is once again embroiled in a media-hyped equipment drama. Since the Trondheim scandal, when the Norwegian team illegally modified their suits, the FIS has been pursuing a stricter policy, which is welcomed by the Austrian side. "I think it's a good thing. There are many checks, things are being examined more closely. That's what every nation wanted," said Widhölzl.

Zajc's disqualification as a harsh statement

The Austrian Ski Federation's head coach views the fact that no exceptions will be made and that there will be no tolerance for even millimeter-level decisions in the interpretation of the rules positively. "Of course, three millimeters isn't much, but you have to be consistent, otherwise 0,3 becomes 0,8 and eventually a centimeter. In Formula 1, they didn't turn a blind eye to Norris's mistake in the penultimate race; they disqualified the entire team."

Timi Zajc was disqualified due to wearing an illegal suit. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

In Oberstdorf, three millimeters too short in the leg length of Timi Zajc's suit proved disqualifying for second place. The Slovenian was disqualified and had to abandon his dream of winning the Four Hills Tournament. The inseam was too short, which could have created a larger surface area in the crotch, thus providing an advantage in flight. "That makes a big difference," emphasized Widhölzl. Of course, he added, all suits are sewn to the limit, "because you don't want to give anything away. But it has to be in the regulations."
Zajc reacted with gallows humor. "Let's stretch the suit a bit, maybe then everything will be okay in Ga-Pa," the 25-year-old wrote in an Instagram story, referring to the New Year's ski jumping event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen – but deleted it shortly afterwards.