The artist called the International Ski Federation’s ruling of score manipulation ‘nonsensical’

Vanessa_Mae

Violinist-turned-Olympian Vanessa-Mae has appealed against a four-year skiing ban imposed as punishment by the International Ski Federation.

The body ruled that that the 36-year-old Singapore-born British artist, who represented Thailand at the Sochi Winter Olympics in January, should not have qualified as her results were manipulated at an event in Slovenia. Five officials from that event, organised by the Thai Olympic Committee, were also banned by the FIS. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will now consider the appeal.

Competing as Vanessa Vanakorn, using her father’s surname, the violinist finished last of 67 competitors in the giant slalom at the Sochi Games – 50 seconds behind winner Tina Maze.

‘The Court of Arbitration for Sport has received two appeals from Ms Vanessa Vanakorn, filed against the decisions taken by the Hearing Panel of the International Ski, in relation to her qualification for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games,’ wrote the CAS in a statement.

Last month Mae issued a statement, claiming the ‘sanction against me is nonsensical’.

Subscribe to The Strad or download our digital edition as part of a 30-day free trial. To purchase single issues click here.

Topics