Having barely appeared in public since the positive doping test, the ski star is now signaling a return.

On Tuesday afternoon, the German Ski Federation confirmed the final outcome of the doping case against Victoria Carl, who tested positive for Clenbuterol in March 2025. This means that the 18-month suspension will remain in effect. 

“It has been a challenging time for Victoria Carl. Now the process is concluded, and the ruling is final. The penalty amounts to a total of 18 months of suspension,” the Federation stated in a release on Tuesday. 

“Stronger than ever” 

Since the news of her positive doping test broke on June 25 last year, Carl has hardly been seen in public. 

Now she opens up about the heavy period following the doping test that robbed her of the chance to compete in the 2026 Olympics in Milano-Cortina. 

“I tried to protect myself. I couldn’t watch World Cup races on TV. Biathlon was almost as bad, but I did watch some ski jumping. I’ve never missed so much winter sports as I have this year,” Carl said in the podcast Be Proud Talk. 

She also emphasizes that she has not lost motivation but has used the adversity to develop mental strength. 

“Mentally, I am stronger than ever. I will carry that forward,” Carl stated. 

Ready to compete in November – Aiming for World Championships in Falun

Carl is now aiming for a comeback at the highest level, with the World Championships in Falun as her primary goal. 

She is aware that the road ahead will be tough. After the long break, she has lost all her FIS points. 

“I will have to compete in other races to earn enough FIS points to participate in the World Cup,” she said. 

Carl is officially eligible to compete from November 26. The World Cup in Ruka starts on November 29, so it remains to be seen if she will make it in time. 

“According to the regulations, it will be possible to return to organized training at the end of September and to competitions from the end of November. However, a specific date for her return to the national team has not yet been set,” the Federation stated. 

This is the doping case 

The German ski star has been banned from all competitions and organized training since June 25 last year. This was when it was announced that Carl had tested positive for Clenbuterol in connection with the Military World Championships at the end of March. The substance is on WADA’s doping list. 

Carl has always maintained her innocence, claiming that she ingested the substance accidentally through a cough syrup. The German Ski Federation has supported her throughout the process, and last fall she was named Athlete of the Year 2025.

Now, the German Ski Federation confirms that they accept the ruling and the suspension. 

Waited a year for the ruling

The German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) initially sought a two-year suspension, but in April the ruling was made: 18 months. Carl had already been suspended for a year before the ruling was issued. This means she can compete again from November 25, 2026. 

The World Cup starts on November 27, just two days after her suspension ends. The opening weekend will also take place this year in Ruka, Finland. 

Due to the suspension, Carl missed the Winter Olympics in Italy. Now she is fully focused on the World Championships in Falun this winter.

Sought two years

The news that Carl had tested positive for doping shocked the skiing community both in Germany and abroad. Speculation about what punishment the German star could face ranged from full acquittal to four years. 

The German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) initially sought a two-year suspension, and the parties later reached an agreement on a resolution. WADA opposed this, arguing that the case should be decided based on sports law principles.

As a result, and at Carl’s request, the case was handled by the independent German Sports Arbitration Court (DIS). They imposed an 18-month suspension on Carl. The decision is not final. Carl and WADA can appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). So far, there are no signs that this has occurred. 

One of Germany’s biggest stars

Victoria Carl finished second in the overall World Cup standings last winter, behind Jessie Diggins. She also won bronze in the relay at the Ski World Championships in Trondheim. She has one victory and 13 podium finishes in the World Cup, and she was part of the German team that won Olympic gold in the team sprint at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. 

Reminiscent of Johaug’s case

Carl’s doping case is somewhat reminiscent of what happened with Therese Johaug in 2016. The Norwegian cross-country queen tested positive after using a lip balm containing a substance on the doping list. Johaug was suspended for 18 months and also missed the 2018 Olympics. 

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