British Skier Finishes Race Drunk in Norway as Protest

British skier Gabriel Gledhill finished a 50km race in Oslo drunk, in a form of protest. The 23-year-old, who has lived in Norway for the past five years, faces deportation due to low income and denied residency permit.

During the Oslo-Holmenkollen race, spectators offered Gledhill beers and other drinks, which he accepted. He stated that he stopped three times to vomit and struggled to stand, finishing 67th out of 69 athletes.

Gledhill had joined Team Aker Dæhlie Nordmarka on a trial basis, founded by Bjorn Dæhlie and Kjell Inge Røkke. The denial of the residency permit prevents him from signing a permanent contract. He stated that the forced departure would undermine his career and that this was perhaps his last race in Norway.