British skier Gabriel Gledhill starred in one of the most unusual stories of the Oslo Cross-Country Skiing World Cup after completing the demanding 50-kilometer race completely drunk. The 23-year-old athlete finished in 67th place after accepting alcoholic drinks offered by fans along the course.
Far from hiding it, Gledhill himself openly acknowledged what happened at the end of the race. He explained that during the race, he consumed between ten and twelve beers and around five shots of Jägermeister. "I was offered a lot of alcohol during the course and ended up quite drunk, but it was a lot of fun," he admitted to the media, even acknowledging that he still felt the effects when crossing the finish line.
At one point on the course, someone gave him what seemed to be a drink, but turned out to be mouthwash. The mistake caused him to vomit for much of the competition. Nevertheless, he continued until completing the race, where he also received offers of snus, a type of moist tobacco common in Nordic countries.
Gledhill, who has been living in Norway and training in Lillehammer for five years, has had his application for permanent residency rejected for not meeting the financial requirements. If he does not resolve his situation by the end of March, he could be forced to leave the country, jeopardizing his future in cross-country skiing. He himself acknowledges that his departure would likely mean the end of his sports career, as his entire training environment is there.
His behavior during the race also sparked criticism within the circuit. Some pointed out that his attitude was not appropriate for a competition of this level, especially after being overtaken by participants in the women's race. However, the British skier argued that he did not harm other competitors or disrupt the race.
Despite the controversy, the World Cup organization responded with a more relaxed tone on social media, where they shared a video of the skier with a beer and highlighted his personality and the media impact he has had on the sport. The scene, between festive and controversial, provides one of the most striking images of the season.