You’ve heard of lucky underwear, but this undergarment may have actually won the race. Slovenian skier Tina Maze wore a pair that got everyone’s panties in a bunch after she took second place in Austria.

[via New York Times]

The undergarment in question is actually a one-piece sheath. Apparently, the amount of plastic used to make this garment doesn’t leave a lot of breathing room down there, so the officials advised against women wearing it during competition. However, opponents are now challenging that the plastic in the underwear body-sleeve caused her to ski faster due to its aerodynamic qualities, and is therefore cheating.

Officials sided with Maze in this particular situation, but the incident sparked an argument as to whether this kind of plastic knickers should be allowed in the future of the sport. Gian Franco Kasper, the president of the International Ski Federation, is calling for a complete rule change to specify what types of undergarments are permissible. “We have to change our rules,” Kasper said. “It has to be made very clear — if (underwear) is plastified, it is forbidden.” [via ESPN]

Maze, who told reporters at a race in Cortina, Italy, “I really don’t understand now if I can use it or not,” made an even bigger statement after the race when she stripped down to reveal a sports bra that read “Not Your Business.”

What do you think about plastic undies? Should the officials be concerned with what athletes wear beneath their clothes?