The highly-anticipated FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup commenced in Austria on October 28. The athletes have delivered electrifying performances that pulsated through the screens into the hearts of the fans. However, one incident subsided the excitement into one corner and left the skiing community in an uproar. This incident has had a topsy-turvy effect on the whole fan base, who are now demanding a redressal.

Norwegian alpine ski racer Ragnhild Mowinckel was a favorite in the second run, but before she could clinch the victory, the federation unceremoniously ended his run. While her fans waited on the edge of their seats to cheer for her, they received the devastating news. To make things worse for the FIS, they did not agree with the controversial reason for the expulsion.

Controversial disqualification rocks Alpine Skiing World Cup

The FIS had implemented a last-minute ban on fluoride wax. Athletes had also received warnings about using this environmentally harmful substance, which could lead to possible disqualification. While the decision was sound, the timing was all wrong. The ski aces did not have the time to adapt according to the new prohibition, and neither did the FIS have proper measuring protocols in place.

The result of this inept planning was the expulsion of Mowinckel and the subsequent protest. Jakub Pobożniak, a popular sports commentator, lit the embers of the revolt with an X post that said, “New rules banning the use of fluoride on skis in @fisalpine- and the first victim has already been identified. Ragnhild Mowinckel 🇳🇴 with DSQ ❌ for incorrectly prepared skis. This means that Maryna Gąsienica-Daniel 16th and Magda Łuczak 24th after the first run. This will be a plague”.

Seeing the outcry from the skiing fans, the FIS tried to make amends. Secretary General Michel Vion tried to convince the public that all of the machines used for testing were in order and that they were ready to prove it. His explanations were brushed aside as the sobbing  Ragnhild Mowinckel wholly occupied the fans. It was more than enough to rouse the anger in the alpine skiing community, who made sure to let the FIS know of their ire.

Outrage spreads through alpine skiing community

The FIS is in a state of turmoil after the fans took matters into their own hands on the internet. They flooded social media with comments to express their disappointment with the federation and demanded justice. In this regard, one fan took charge and pointed out that Mowinckel’s disqualification affected other athletes’ standings, explaining,

The next fan made the athlete the face of the new movement, writing,

One fan vented on the internet, commenting,

Next, one fan shifted loyalties to another athlete who progressed onto the next round because of the disqualification, stating,

Lastly, one fan exposed the falsehood of the FIS, writing,

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Many high-ranking members of the Alpine skiing community have expressed their disappointment with the decision. Rainer Salzgeber, the race director, was also upset with the disqualification and called it the “worst case”. He also pointed out the rampant mismanagement in the FIS and blamed it for the current disaster.

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