One Sentence Started a Storm: Scandal at the World Cup in Willingen

During the mixed team event at the Willingen World Cup, Slovenian ski jumper Timi Zajc was disqualified after his first jump due to his suit being deemed non-compliant. Zajc claimed that the officials had manipulated the rules to favor a German podium finish, alleging that the suit was adjusted to benefit the organizers’ interests.

Despite the disqualification in the first round, Zajc went on to compete in the second series wearing the exact same suit – this time passing inspection without major issues. In an interview with Eurosport, he wryly remarked, "It’s a circus," highlighting his dissatisfaction with a system that seems to give more weight to how the jumper prepares his suit and stance prior to measurements rather than the performance itself.

The incident has ignited a storm of discussion about the fairness and consistency of the control procedures in ski jumping, with Zajc’s case serving as a prime example of the issues that can arise in such high-stakes competitions.