Cross-country skiing: “The FIS thought it was a celebration with sexual connotations”, explains Mathias Holbæk
Last week saw the Junior and U23 World Championships in Schilpario (Italy). At these World Championships, Mathias Holbæk stood out with three gold medals in the mass start classic, the individual skate and the mixed relay. However, he also stood out for a special celebration at the finish of the mass start.
After crossing the finish line as winner of the mass-start, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) invited him to talk about this celebration.
“The FIS thought it was a celebration with sexual connotations. It was just supposed to be a signature and be fun. I’ve done it several times before. My aim was to create an iconic celebration. I got a substantial fine,” he tells Nettavisen.
The Norwegian was effectively fined 250 Swiss francs, or around 265 euros. A penalty that doesn’t seem to affect the young cross-country skier, who plans to continue the celebration. “The fact that it ended in a fine was a bit unhealthy. I think it was a cool celebration. Everyone thinks it’s great outside the FIS,” he concludes.
Read also
- Cross-country skiing: the video of the Schilpario 2025 Junior and U23 World Championships
- Cross-country skiing | Schilpario: Norway’s Mathias Holbæk crowned U23 world champion in the mass-start classic, Luc Primet a solid ninth
- Cross-country skiing | Schilpario World Championships: Victor Cullet Calderini, Cloé Pagnier, Mathieu Blanc and Léonie Perry just off the podium in the U23 mixed relay
- Cross-country skiing | Schilpario World Championships: new gold medal for Mathias Holbæk in the U23 individual skate, Victor Cullet Calderini excellent sixth
