Head Skis Finds Cause of Mowinckel’s Fluoro-Contamination

Following the disqualification of Ragnhild Mowinckel in the Giant Slalom at the FIS Alpine World Cup in Sölden, Austria, on October 28, 2023, Head, together with the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (‘FIS’) and the Norwegian Ski Association investigated the source of the contamination. The Norwegian skier had been disqualified after her first run due to the fluorine (or ‘fluoro’) content of the wax on her skis exceeding the limit set by FIS. Subsequent tests have now found the cause of the skis failing the fluoro test: a waxing tool used in the ski preparation had been contaminated with fluoro wax. FIS tested the wax applied to the skis, and it was confirmed that this wax did not contain fluorine wax.

• Related: First Fluoro Wax Disqualification at Sölden, Austria Hits Team Norway’s Ragnhild Mowinckel

“We are relieved that together we have found the cause of the fluorine limits being exceeded and now have a much better idea of what we need to look out for when preparing skis in the future. That being said, we need to continue to work together with all the stakeholders in optimising the method for measuring fluorine. It is important that results are diagnosed correctly so that no athletes are wrongly disqualified. What is important for us is that all the tests and analyses have clearly confirmed that we did not use wax that contains fluorine. It is equally important for us to have on record that Ragnhild Mowinckel is not at fault in this matter: the athlete receives the skis already prepared by us before the start of the race. Neither she as a professional athlete, nor we as a ski company, would intentionally allow unauthorised preparation of the skis at the risk of disqualification.”
— Rainer Salzgeber, Head Racing Director

Identifying the source of the contamination that led to Mowinckel’s disqualification will be important for many athletes, not least of all Mowinckel herself, who is now cleared of any wrongdoing. The Norwegian skier was adamant that she would never knowingly cheat. Other athletes, including Lara Gut-Behrami, who won the race on that day on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden, and second-placed Federica Brignone, had come out publicly stating their concerns about contamination possibilities. Gut-Behrami had said in the lead-up to the race, “Nations share the ski container, and anyone can walk past and could spray the skis [with fluoro wax].” In addition, the Swiss ski racer also suggested that contamination could come from other skier’s contaminated skis who were on the race course that day, such as the slip team, which slips the course between race skiers. Brignone called Mowinckel’s disqualification in an interview “bullshit,” emphasizing that “I don’t know what they did with her skis, but it can happen that someone contaminates your skis with fluorine. That’s just not fair. We prepare for the races for almost an entire year, and in the end, a test machine can decide whether you’re in or out.”

Clearing Mowinckel’s name is important, but more important will be preventing cross-contamination from old waxing tools or other skis. Head plans to invest in two fluorine testing machines “So we can sleep again at night,” as Salzgeber states.