Prevc loses skis in Slovenia shock at ski flying worlds

Slovenian star Domen Prevc and his team-mates had a shock at the ski flying world championships when Prevc was denied a first round jump in the team event because his skis came loose at the top of the hill and went down the in-run.

Television footage showed the skis sliding past Norwegian Marius Lindvik who was about to jump. One of them made it down the in-run and to the bottom of the hill.

Slovenian officials scrambled to bring a reserve pair up the hill but officials from ruling body FIS ruled that Prevc was not allowed to jump, which ended Slovenia's bid for a third straight team title in eighth place after the first round.

Prevc sat down in disbelief while FIS technical delegate Andreas Bauer told broadcaster ARD that Prevc was at fault for the mishap and therefore not allowed the first jump.

"He leaned the skis against a tarpaulin at an equipment control at the top. He had the opportunity to give them to a FIS official or put them into the ski holder. It was slippery because of the snowfall and the skis came loose and went down," Bauer said.

"It was his own fault. It is treated like a did not start, like when you forget your bib.

"I have never seen anything like this. Of course it a shock. You don't wish this to happen to an athlete."

Slovenia lodged a protest but that was rejected by FIS, according to a official radio broadcast shared by ARD. Slovenia then appeared not ready to continue but did so in the end.

Prevc can compete in round two because he did not commit a rule violation for a disqualification. But without Prevc's first jump Slovenia are more than 230 points behind leaders Japan with just seven jumps compared to the other teams' eight.

Prevc had won the individual title the previous day on the Oberstdorf hill, is the World Cup leader and Four Hills Tour winner.