Canadian Brian Stemmle, a former ski team racer (three World Cup podiums) and now an announcer for the Rogers Sportsnet television network, caused a stir with his observations of the Wengen slalom Jan. 16 when he suggested French racer Jean-Baptiste Grange had straddled a gate. Had Grange been disqualified, Canadian skier Michael Janyk would have made the podium.

“The gate is bent already and his arm guard hasn’t even reach the gate.” Stemmle said. “Old rules started that ‘as long as your boot goes around the gate it’s ok’, The new rules are different. Your boots and ski tips must pass through the imaginary line. I clearly believe he (Grange) straddles.”

Stemmle’s assertions have led to calls for an instant replay system, among other responses, from viewers.

While many agreed with Stemmle, not all did. Martin Bell, himself a former World Cup skier from Great Britain said on Stemmle’s Facebook page,  “something funky certainly happens to his (Grange) inside ski. Inconclusive from that angle – you would have to find someone who shot it from head-on.”

It should be noted Wengen race officials were not shy about disqualifications. Conditions were tricky and skiers were taking a lot of risks trying to power through the soft snow. Two skiers were DQ’d in the second run (in which Stemmle contends Grange straddled), Austrian Manfred Pranger and Japanese Akira Sasaki. Another Japanese skier, Naoki Yuasa was DQ’d in the first run.

Mike Janyk photo by GEPA

View the Universal Sports coverage of Grange here