Controversy at the 2025 Nordic Ski Championships: Accusations of Tampering Leveled Against Top Betting Pick, Norway
Topped Off by Scandal: The 2025 Nordic Ski World Championships in Norway
Last Updated: April 2025
The curtains came down on the 2025 Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, on March 9, 2025, but not without a storm causing a ruckus. The final day was marred by a shocking revelation that has left the sports world reeling: The Norwegian team, who had been favorites in sports betting, are accused of manipulating their ski jumping suits.
The Alleged Cheating Scandal
The competition, held from February 26 to March 9, was overshadowed by a cellphone video that surfaced on Saturday. The video, anonymously filmed, showed members of the Norwegian team working on their ski jumping suits in their hotel. It appeared that the suits were being restitched, all under the watchful eye of Norwegian head coach Magnus Brevig, aged 41.
Initially, the team members claimed that the work was within the rules. However, they later admitted to a rules violation on Saturday evening. The seams of the jumpers Johann Andre Forfang and Marius Lindvik were reportedly reinforced to provide an advantage in flight. This is illegal and breaches FIS rules.
As a result, three Norwegian jumpers, including Marius Lindvik, who had previously been favorites with bookmakers, were disqualified.
A Public Apology and Confusion
A press conference with representatives of the Norwegian team was called for Sunday. The team owned up to manipulating the suits in front of numerous journalists:
"We have cheated and thus disappointed all ski jumping fans, including ourselves. I would like to apologize to the other teams, the jumpers, the sponsors, and the fans. We will get to the bottom of this." - Jan Erik Aalbu, sports director of the Norwegian ski jumping team, Sportschau.
Despite taking responsibility, Aalbu stated that he had no knowledge of the manipulations. Nevertheless, he did not rule out personnel consequences.
It remains unclear whether the two athletes knew about the reinforced seams on their suits.
Medal Haul for Germany
Amidst the shocking scandal, the German athletes managed to shine, winning a total of eleven medals:
- Gold: 1x
- Silver: 4x
- Bronze: 6x
The most successful German participant was Selina Freitag, 23. She won two silver medals in the individual competition and bronze in the mixed event. The German winter sportswomen had previously demonstrated their skills in the new team combination of the ladies in the 2025 Alpine Ski World Championships a few weeks ago.
Among the men, Andreas Wellinger, 29, won the silver medal on the normal hill. The only gold medal for Germany was won by the combiners in the team event.
Shock and Anger from Other Teams
In response to the scandal, the German Ski Association expressed shock. Board member Stefan Schwarzbach stated:
"'It leaves you speechless when you consider how brazenly this was manipulated without any scruples.' - Stefan Schwarzbach, board member, DSV, ntv"
The DSV has called on the international federation FIS to investigate the incident and the extent of the manipulations. They cannot understand why the reinforced seams were not noticed. The Austrian Ski Association is reportedly calling for harsher consequences, demanding that all Norwegian teams in ski jumping and combined be stripped of their medals.
Investigation and Further Consequences
Following the revelation of the manipulations, the FIS has stripped Marius Lindvik of his silver medal. Norway had won a total of 13 gold medals in ski jumping and combined at the 2025 Ski World Championships.
The FIS has launched an investigation into the incident, and it is expected that further consequences for the Norwegian participants can be expected. Currently, three officials (coach Magnus Brevik, assistant Thomas Lobben, technician Adrian Livelten) and athletes Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang remain provisionally suspended pending investigation. The FIS has seized all Norwegian team jump suits from Trondheim for re-inspection. Immediate adjustments to suit control protocols for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined World Cup events have also been implemented.
Athletes like Anders Johansson are reportedly facing severe income loss due to the provisional suspensions, now living off savings. Provisional bans for Robin Pedersen, Kristoffer Sundal, and Johansson were lifted after the season ended, though investigations continue. The alleged method of manipulation involved adding banned tape to suits for stability mid-flight and making unauthorized modifications to increase aerodynamic resistance, such as enlarged crotch areas. Poland’s ski federation demanded the suspension of Norwegian staff and athletes until the FIS concludes its inquiry.
- What was the shocking revelation that left the sports world reeling during the 2025 Nordic Ski World Championships in Norway? The Norwegian team, who were favorites in sports betting, are accused of manipulating their ski jumping suits.
- In the midst of the scandal, Jan Erik Aalbu, sports director of the Norwegian ski jumping team, apologized for the cheating incident and stated that he had no knowledge of the manipulations.
- Among the team members who were disqualified due to the rules violation is Marius Lindvik, who had previously been a favorite with bookmakers.
- As a result of the scandal, the German athletes managed to shine, winning a total of 11 medals, including one gold. Andreas Wellinger, 29, won the silver medal on the normal hill, while Selina Freitag, 23, won two silver medals in the individual competition and a bronze in the mixed event.
- The FIS has launched an investigation into the incident, and it is expected that further consequences for the Norwegian participants can be expected. Currently, three officials (coach Magnus Brevik, assistant Thomas Lobben, technician Adrian Livelten) and athletes Marius Lindvik and Johansson Andre Forfang remain provisionally suspended pending investigation.
