South Korean cross-country skiers Han Dasom and Lee Eui-jin have been disqualified from the women’s classic sprint after their skis tested positive for the prohibited substance fluorinated wax.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) confirmed the ruling on Tuesday, immediately removing the pair from the qualification round.

Officials discovered traces of the substance, commonly known as fluor, on the athletes’ equipment following routine inspections.

Neither competitor was considered a serious medal contender for the event, sitting 157th and 158th in the World Cup standings respectively.

Health and environmental risks

The controversy centers on a performance-enhancing product officially banned by the governing body in 2023.

Originally adopted from sailing in the late 1980s to improve glide, the wax was outlawed due to its detrimental impact on both the environment and human health.

The FIS highlights that the substance does not biodegrade, earning it the scientific moniker of a "forever chemical."

Significant health risks are also posed to the ski technicians who apply the treatment using hot irons, often in inadequately ventilated spaces.

Testing is conducted in designated areas near the finish line to ensure compliance with the regulations that came into full effect for the 2023-24 season.

The Korea Ski Association has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the breach.

Team GB suffer medal heartbreak

Away from the equipment controversy, Team GB are still searching for their first podium finish of the Games.

Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds were defeated by hosts Italy in the mixed curling bronze medal match on Tuesday afternoon.

It marks the third time the British squad has finished fourth at these Winter Olympics.

Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes also narrowly missed out on medals earlier in the week, increasing pressure on the team to meet UK Sport’s target of four to eight medals.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s long wait for an Olympic return to the podium continues after the American superstar finished fourth in the Alpine combined, narrowly edged out by her own teammates.

Fresh from her downhill gold on Sunday, Breezy Johnson had placed the United States’ top pairing in pole position with a dominant opening run.

That brilliant performance left Shiffrin, the most successful World Cup skier in history, with the task of securing gold as the final racer on the course.

However, the 30-year-old lacked her characteristic aggression on the Olympia delle Tofane piste, finishing 0.31 seconds adrift of the winning time.

Teammates deliver sting in the tail

Compounding the disappointment for the favourites, it was the United States ‘B’ team who snatched the bronze medal by a mere 0.08 seconds.

Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan produced the upset of the day to leave the reigning world champions empty-handed.

Austria’s second pairing of Ariane Raedler and Katharine Huber claimed the gold medal with a combined time of 2:21.66.

Germany secured silver through Emma Aicher and Kira Weidle-Winkelmann, who finished five-tenths behind the Austrian duo.

Aicher’s performance was particularly notable, having opted to switch focus to the slalom event after narrowly missing out on a medal in the individual downhill.

Haunted by history

This result marks a continuation of Shiffrin’s puzzling Olympic struggles since her gold medal success in Pyeongchang eight years ago.

The Coloradan endured a nightmare campaign at Beijing 2022, where she failed to finish three events and left without a single medal.

Following her third disqualification at those Games, a devastated Shiffrin had previously described herself as feeling “like a joke”.

Her current Olympic form stands in stark contrast to her dominance on the World Cup circuit, where she has amassed a record 108 victories.

Despite having secured the crystal globe and winning seven of eight slalom events this season, the slalom specialist could only manage the 15th fastest time of the slalom leg.

While Shiffrin skied cleanly without major errors, her run lacked the spark required to hold off the charging European teams and her compatriots.

The skiing legend faces a brutal road ahead after confirming the full extent of Sunday’s accident.

Lindsey Vonn has suffered a devastating setback to her return. The American icon confirmed a complex tibia fracture on Monday. The injury occurred during a horror crash in her downhill run on Sunday. She now faces an intense recovery period.

A Cruel Twist of Fate

Vonn was chasing a fairytale. She wanted one last dance on the slopes. But the mountain can be unforgiving. Sunday’s session was meant to be routine. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. She lost control on the descent. The impact was severe. Fans held their breath. We feared the worst. Now, those fears are reality.

This isn’t just a bruise. It is a significant break. The tibia is the main shinbone. It bears the weight of the body. For a skier, it is critical. Vonn is no stranger to pain. She has battled injuries her whole career. But this one feels different. The timing is simply gutting.

The Instagram Confession

The star broke the news herself. She took to Instagram on Monday. She wanted to be transparent with her fans. The update was grim. She did not mince words. She revealed the specific diagnosis. It is a “complex” fracture. That word carries weight.

It means a simple cast won’t work. The bone needs reconstruction. Vonn confirmed the next steps. She wrote that it “will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.” One operation is hard enough. Multiple surgeries are an ordeal. It suggests a long layout. Her resilience will be tested again.

Is The Dream Over?

Vonn is a fighter. She has 82 World Cup wins. She is the most successful female speed skier in history. But she is also human. The body takes longer to heal with age. A complex fracture demands time. The rehabilitation will be gruelling. She must learn to walk before she can ski.

Her comeback had captured imaginations. Punters loved the narrative. We all love a sporting return. But the Winter Games in Cortina seem miles away now. This injury puts everything on hold. It might even close the book for good. It is a bitter pill to swallow.

What This Means for Punters

The betting markets react instantly to news like this. Vonn was a massive wildcard. Bookies had priced her on reputation. Sentimental money was flowing in. That market has now suspended. The value has shifted.

Punters must look elsewhere for value. The focus returns to the current crop of stars. Mikaela Shiffrin remains the heavy favourite. Her consistency is unmatched. Sofia Goggia also becomes a stronger pick. Without the Vonn factor, the field settles down. The odds will shorten on the established names. It is time to adjust your slips.