Accidentally fell on a needle...

[nineveh_uk]

So on Tuesday the Eurosport commentators made a sarcastic comment about Johannes Dürr, Austrian skier, EPO doper, and accidental inspiration for my fic In the Studio having fallen on a needle. Yesterday Austrian police raided team hotels in Seefeld where the cross-country skiing world championships are being held and apparently literally caught one of the five skiers arrested with a needle in his arm for some good old-fashioned blood doping. I am Not Impressed (by the skiers. Evidently criminalising doping has worked out quite well for the Austrian police).

It's the cross-country world championships in Seefeld, which is providing the perfect relaxation for me after work during a week when I've been feeling a bit tired. Doping scandals aside, it's proving a great competition. Ridiculous weather, occasionally ridiculous courses, good crowds, and fabulous skiing with gripping races.

Oh yes, and ridiculous clothing, with the British competitors yesterday bringing what Clueless described as 'exploring the challenging world of bare midriffs' to the sunny tracks. Andrew Musgrave demonstrates below.



Not a ridiculous result, though; a pretty amazing 8th place. When it's 16C or whatever it was yesterday, it probably helps to have spent your teenage years skiing in slush.

Comments

[naraht]

I was just about to email you both about the doping bust and Muzzy's new crop-top look, but should have guessed you'd discover both on your own!

David Millar got police raided in Biarritz back in the day and spent a night in a jail cell, so the Austrians aren't the only ones who criminalise doping (of certain kinds anyway).

[nineveh_uk]

I was wondering whether the doping news had hit the cycling world and likewise been meaning to email to ask. It's both sort of exciting as a scandal, and really disappointing. The British men must also be livid because they got knocked out of the team sprint due to tangling with a now-arrested Austrian and breaking a pole... Personally I'm disappointed in Poltoranin, who had seemed like a decent guy.

I have a feeling there was an Italian police raid at some point, too. Though I don't know whether previous ones were made on grounds of doping, or if there are things like illegal medical practice that you can also get people under.

[slemslempike]

I love that British athletes are still waving the flag for the British pasttime of getting skin out the moment some sun shows its face.

[nineveh_uk]

Upholding the national culture! There were plenty of racers who had cut the suits down to short sleeves or bare lower calves, but no-one else was that committed.

[slemslempike]

I was going to link to Taps Aff, but alas:

https://taps-aff.co.uk/

[nineveh_uk]

Brexit destroys everything. There can be no taps aff with Brexit.

(And it is definitely taps aff - they're from Huntly Nordic Ski Club just outside Aberdeen.)

[highlyeccentric]

... the British cross country ski team are sponsored by swiss cheese??

[nineveh_uk]

They're a major sponsor of the cross country world cup, rather than an individual team sponsor. Which means there is a lot of cheese-related branding at certain events, and 1/2/3 placed skiers get an enormous block of cheese.