The German ski star has been suspended since the summer, and two weeks before the World Cup opener, she still has no information. Now, new signals suggest that clarification may be close.

According to Jessica Wissmann from Anti-Doping Sweden, there are now indications in Victoria Carl’s doping case that point toward the possibility of a negotiated settlement, like what happened in tennis player Jannik Sinner’s doping case.

The German skiing star has been suspended ever since news of her positive test emerged at the end of June: the 29-year-old tested positive for Clenbuterol, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list.

Also Read: Victoria Carl tests positive for Clenbuterol after taking prescribed medication

Carl has explained that she ingested the prohibited substance by mistake, through a cough syrup prescribed by her doctor, and that she did not know it contained a banned substance.

Carl has not yet been sanctioned for doping. The case is still under investigation by the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which has kept all details of the process confidential.

“Substantial assistance”

NADA now reports that it is cooperating with WADA on the case. According to the Swedish anti-doping expert, this suggests that a decision is getting closer.

Wissman tells SVT that the discussion now involves “substantial assistance.” It’s a broad term that can cover many different actions, and in Carl’s case, it might involve placing responsibility on the national team doctor. “That she will walk away completely free is hard for me to believe,” Wissmann says.

Four-year suspension

The standard punishment for use of Clenbuterol is a four-year ban, though in some cases it can be reduced to one year. Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol, but his sanction was reduced to three months after negotiations with WADA.

Wissman believes that the German star’s team will now try to pursue the same strategy.

NADA still refuses to say when the decision will be announced.

Despite the positive doping test and her suspension, the 29-year-old nevertheless received the “Golden Ski Award” last week — the German Ski Association’s most prestigious honor for active athletes — for her performances in 2025.

Read More: Cross-country skier in doping case named athlete of the year 2025

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.