Changing room chat: Skiing’s underwear row goes downhill

THE president of the International Ski Federation has called for a rule change to clarify what racers are allowed to wear under their race suits, following a dispute over Tina Maze’s controversial underwear.

“We have to change our rules,” said Gian Franco Kasper. “It has to be made very clear - if (underwear) is plastified, it is forbidden.” Maze’s one-piece long underwear sparked a debate after the Swiss ski federation staged a protest against the Slovenian racer’s garment following her second-place finish at a World Cup super-G race in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The FIS confiscated Maze’s underwear, but later said the garment had passed permeability tests. Still, the FIS recommended racers not to wear it as it might contain plastic parts which could prevent the body from breathing. The Swiss claimed the plastic level in the garment gave Maze an aerodynamic edge. Maze expressed her feelings about the issue last Sunday after placing third in a super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

She peeled off the top of her ski suit to show her sports bra, which had written on it: “Not your business.”