Ski toilet in Oberstdorf: – Norway anchors the Klæbo disc

After the official list of results was published, Norway had 48 hours to submit an appeal to the appeal committee of the fund committee at the International Ski Federation (FIS).

– We believe that it is correct to appeal the disqualification since we do not agree with the jury’s decision. We regard the incident as a racing incident, says cross-country manager Espen Bjervig, stressing that the appeal is not aimed at penalizing any athlete, but that the results list will stand as the runners finished with gold for Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, silver for Emil Iversen. and bronze for Alexander Bolshunov.

Also, he explains to Dagbladet why they think the jury’s decision is wrong.

– We interpret it as a useful accident, of which no one is to blame, we justify it with the way athletes move. Johannes is getting away from the situation as best he can, explains Bjervig.

– What are your expectations for the appeal?

– It is difficult to expect something, but we believe that we have good arguments and we present our claim in a good way, responds the cross-country manager.

– What role has Klæbo himself played in the appeal?

– I have had regular contact with Johannes. It is he himself who is closest to this, and he himself experienced the situation, concludes Bjervig.

Critical days

Therefore, the next three days will be critical to the fate of Klæbo. Within 72 hours, the appeals committee must make a decision. There is the chairman of the rules committee, Karl-Heinz Lickert, and two appointed members, who are neither Russian nor Norwegian.

To make a decision, analyze similar cases from the past.

One of those who has overcome an appeal after being ruled out for the first time is the Slovenian sprinter Anamarija Lampic. Therefore, this decision may be decisive for Klæbo to regain the World Cup gold.

The Appeals Committee will also reconsider three rules:

• Obstruction, deliberate obstruction of anyone trying to pass is not allowed.t. Did Bolshunov deliberately try to stop Klæbo?
• The responsibility for the correct pass rests with the person coming from behind. Was Klæbo guilty of breaking the Bolshunov pole? Or should I choose a hallway to the left of the Russian?
• The athlete who is the first in the race has the right to choose one of the four runners.

Femmilsdrama

It was a historic moment witnessed when Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Aleksandr Bolshunov crashed during Sunday’s five miles. Klæbo crossed the finish line first, while Bolshunov broke pole and moved into third place, behind Emil Iversen.

The FIS jury decided to disqualify Klæbo. They thought it was heading towards a busy corridor. That he with the passing was the reason why Bolshunov broke the cane and that, therefore, he was deprived of the opportunity to ask about the gold.

Therefore, Bolshunov received the silver medal. Emil Iversen, who actually became number one, was ready to become number three, sneaked into the silver spot and remained world champion. This, too, Russian thinking was completely wrong. The gold should have been awarded to Klæbo or himself, he said.

Norway announced early on that it would appeal. Among other things, they believe this was an obstruction from the Russian.

Many years of juror Torbjørn Broks Pettersen, together with Torbjørn Skogstad, Arild Monsen and Espen Bjervig, have prepared the appeal.

Bolshunov could lose the World Cup final

Bolshunov is still on parole after being paroled following Joni Mäki’s entry into Lahti in January.

The trial period applies to five “events” and the World Cup is considered one event. They will also do so on World Cup weekends in Ruka, Lillehammer and Davos next season.

If FIS accepts the appeal, you won’t just lose the five-mile silver. You can also lose two races in the World Cup. Among other things, the World Cup final in Engadin Switzerland next weekend.

Norway claimed that it had already appealed

On Monday afternoon, the head of the Russian cross-country skiing federation, Jelena Valbe, told sport.ru that Norway had already filed the appeal. Something that Bjervig denied shortly after.