Germany's Andreas Wellinger is not convinced by the sentence imposed on the Norwegians. © APA/afp / KERSTIN JOENSSON

German discontent over penalties for Norway's ski jumpers

The lenient sentence for Norway's top ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang caused surprise among the German team.

August 24, 2025

From: dpa

In the manipulation scandal, the two athletes will be banned for a total of three months and will not have to fear any subsequent revocation of their World Championship results from the title fights in Trondheim, as the world association FIS confirmed upon request.

Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger, who won silver on the normal hill behind Lindvik, will not be retroactively declared world champion. "We were already prepared for this verdict and will accept it. Even though the entire team gave their all to achieve maximum success at the World Championships, looking back, it leaves a bitter aftertaste," said national coach Stefan Horngacher.

Marius Lindvik received a lenient sentence. © APA/afp / LISE ASERUD

The time already served will be deducted from the three-month ban. Lindvik and Forfang were suspended for approximately three weeks following the World Cup scandal. The two Norwegians can now serve the remaining suspension during the months when the World Cup is not running anyway. When the competition resumes on November 21 in Lillehammer, Lindvik and Forfang will be able to return.

Wellinger doubts Lindvik's version

"As a ski jumper, you notice immediately when your suit has been fiddled with. Even if no one told you beforehand," said the German ski jumping star Zeit Online Wellinger added: "You'll notice it all the more in this case, because a stabilizing seam has been inserted from the leg to the crotch. This makes the suit significantly less flexible. If you don't notice it, you won't notice anything at all."


It is still unclear how those responsible will be judged. The Norwegian broadcaster TV2 had recently announced that 18-month bans were being sought against head coach Magnus Brevig and two assistants. Lindvik won World Championship gold on the normal hill ahead of Wellinger. He and Forfang also won medals with the team and mixed teams.