Skis tested positive
Suspected fluorine wax in two German biathletes
January 5, 2024, 7:31 a.m
As of this season, waxing with fluorine is no longer allowed. Now the biathletes are testing positive for the first time this winter – in the German team. One of the athletes, David Zobel, cannot explain this. He starts looking for possible causes.
For the first time this season, German biathletes’ skis tested positive for fluorowax, which has been banned since this winter, in a competition. At the second-class IBU Cup in Martell/South Tyrol this Thursday, before the shortened individual race over 15 kilometers, David Zobel and Simon Kaiser’s skis were noticed during inspection, as Zobel announced on Instagram that evening. They were the first positive tests ever, both in the World Cup and in the IBU Cup.
“We cannot explain the positive test and are already looking for how this could have happened,” wrote the 27-year-old Zobel, who had previously competed in all eight individual races in the World Cup this season, but now not for the competitions in Oberhof had been nominated.
All other German skis for the two individuals, including those of women’s winner Julia Kink and her German teammate Emily Schumann in second place, passed the inspection without any problems. According to Zobel, all skis were prepared “exactly the same”. So far everything has gone smoothly in the German team, the positive test could also be due to contamination.
Ski in the red area, disqualification averted
Zobel and Kaiser’s skis exceeded the limit of 1.8 and were therefore in the red zone, which actually amounts to a disqualification. According to the regulations, in this case the ski hunters can bring a new ski once per season, which both did. If there is another positive test, there would automatically be a ban from racing, regardless of whether it is in the World or IBU Cup.
After the second pair of skis had passed the inspection, Zobel and Kaiser were able to start. But because they didn’t make it to the start on time due to the delay, they received a time penalty of 30 seconds. Nevertheless, Zobel came seventh, Kaiser crossed the finish line in 77th place.
Like the World Ski Federation Fis, the Biathlon World Federation Ibu is also implementing an EU directive banning certain fluorine compounds as a complete ban. They are considered harmful to the environment and health. Fluorine, which occurs as a gas under normal conditions, is extremely water-repellent and can therefore provide a speed advantage.