Wellinger Reflects on World Championship Silver Amid Controversy

Skisprung-Olympiasieger Andreas Wellinger is feeling contemplative following his second-place finish at the World Championship in Trondheim, where he lost to Norway’s Marius Lindvik last Sunday. In a video message shared from the airport, Wellinger expressed, „What would have happened in the other competitions where I was very close, and where our team was very close? With these thoughts, it’s time to head home.“ The 29-year-old appeared pensive and saddened.

Lindvik was disqualified on Saturday due to issues with his modified suit during the large hill event. Federations from Slovenia, Poland, and Austria are calling for the annulment of all results from the championship, a request that the international governing body, FIS, has so far rejected. Should this occur, Wellinger would retroactively be elevated to World Champion on the normal hill.

Wellinger noted that, despite much going well, the events that transpired have left a bitter aftertaste. He stated, „All in all, a lot worked out. Still, what happened yesterday casts a very, very shadow. For our sport, it is not good at all with the manipulations that emerged. It raises many questions, including many for me.“

The top German athlete had already called for serious repercussions on Saturday if it were determined that there was systematic cheating by the Norwegian team. An anonymous video has surfaced showing Norwegian competitors allegedly altering their ski jumping suits in an illegal manner.