Well I finally found a bit of time to write down what happened in Berlin. There are a few videos of the sprint finish, but none of them really show what happened from a good perspective.
Alexis lead out the sprint with Severin in his draft. The finish tightens a little bit on the left side, which is also the fastest side. Alexis wasn't fully on the left side though... So there was enough room for an eventual pass. When Severin went to the left Alexis rocked to the left and closed the gap, which can be seen in the Skate-Tv video from Isaak. Severin had to stop his pass and attempt it on the right side, but it was too late.
Three refs saw this happen, the head ref didn't (I don't know how blind you have to be to miss that...). One overzealous ref ran over to Isaak demanding his videos, since he seemed to have seen enough for his taste. Meanwhile the race organizer released the winner to the press and Alexis began giving interviews.
When the video material was reviewed, it seemed to be a done deal. Alexis was going to be deplaced and Severin would win the race. BUT
I'll give the rest in bullet points...
- Head ref tells head organizer that Alexis might be deplaced
- Head organizer gets pissed, because the press already wrote down Alexis as a winner. Pressures refs.
- Ref says extra video material will only be used if Severin files a complaint (So I was told by refs), head organizer should give complaint sheet to Severin and explain situation
- Head organizer tells Widmer he has a 50/50 chance of winning if he files a complaint (false information it was 100/0) and he would have to pay 120Eur (Which he would get back if compaint is successful). Does not explain that video material will only be used if complaint is filed.
- Severin says he trusts that refs would always do what is right. He knows that Alexis blocked him and switched lines (See Skate-Tv video). If they saw it, they will say something. He does not file a complaint.
- Lower referees, all but one ;) , complain to head ref that they saw Alexis switching lines, but their complaints aren't worth anything.
- One referee agrees with head ref. Says that Severin would not have had a chance to pass, since he was going just as fast. Video material shows a different story, when Severin is forced to change lanes.
- Head ref agrees with race organizer and decides against any action.
Side note: Head ref once falsely disqualified a relay team. He decides against any action ever since.
Post race. Severin says he would not file a complaint, since they skate for the same sponsors (Luigino/Rollerblade). He was still pissed about the situation though.
