Press release provided by HEAD Ragnhild Mowinckel  Photo: GEPA pictures/Matic Klansek

Following the disqualification of Ragnhild Mowinckel in the Giant Slalom in Sölden on the 28th of October, 2023, due to the fluorine content of the wax on her skis exceeding the set limit, subsequent tests have been carried out by HEAD together with the FIS and the Norwegian Ski Federation. The results: the cause of the increased levels was a ski waxing tool that was used to prepare the skis. The FIS has tested the wax applied to the skis. The FIS confirmed that this wax did not contain fluorine.

“We are relieved that together we have found the cause of the fluorine limits being exceeded and now have a much better idea of what we need to look out for when preparing skis in the future. That being said, we need to continue working with all the stakeholders to optimize the method for measuring fluorine. It is important that results are diagnosed correctly so that no athletes are wrongly disqualified,” says HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber. “What is important for us is that all the tests and analyses have clearly confirmed that we did not use fluorine wax. It is equally important for us to have on record that Ragnhild Mowinckel is not at fault in this matter: the athlete receives the skis already prepared by us before the start of the race. Neither she, as a professional athlete, nor we, as a ski company, would intentionally allow unauthorized preparation of the skis at the risk of disqualification.”