The International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s (FIS) ethics committee has suspended two Norwegian ski jumping coaches and the team’s suit technician for 18 months. The suspensions result from an investigation into suit manipulation during the sport’s world championships last year.
The committee’s ruling stated its aim to establish clear boundaries for acceptable conduct in ski jumping, rejecting arguments for minimal sanctions.
At the 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, head coach Magnus Brevig and suit technician Adrian Livelten were recorded inserting non-elastic stitching into the crotch area of suits for jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang. This occurred after the suits had passed inspection. Assistant head coach Thomas Lobben later admitted involvement in the conspiracy. The stitching was intended to make the suits more aerodynamic, potentially allowing jumpers to achieve greater distances.
Lindvik and Forfang stated they were unaware of the manipulation. They received three-month suspensions, which were served during the summer.
The coaches had argued that their actions were consistent with a culture of pushing rule boundaries in the sport, and that past violations had resulted in lighter penalties. The FIS ethics committee rejected this argument, stating that the admitted violations, supported by video evidence, justified the sanctions.
Each suspended coach was also ordered to pay 5,000 Swiss francs (approximately $6,200 U.S.) towards the proceedings' cost. They have 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The coaches were dismissed after the incident. Their suspensions are backdated to last March, which would allow them to potentially resume their careers next season if they secure employment. The athletes involved have shown varied performance on the World Cup circuit this season, with Forfang currently 16th and Lindvik 18th.