The world famous violinist and British citizen Vanessa Mae, who became the first person to represent Thailand in snow sports at a winter Olympics in Sochi earlier this year has been banned from competition for the next four years after an International Ski Federation (FIS) 'Hearing panel' decided she cheated in achieving the number of points required to qualify for the Olympics.
The hearing panel met after the Slovenian ski association highlighted 'issues' with certain racers in July and suspended several officials.
It is unclear whether the 36 year old, who finished joint last in her event at Sochi, had any intention of competing again. It is also not yet clear if her Olympic result will be cancelled, the FIS say they have transmitted their findings to the IOC. Wikipedia has also stopped referring to Mae as "a British violinist and Alpine ski racer" following the ruling. Mae may appeal via the FIS or the Participants to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS) in application of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration within 21 days if she wishes.
The ban results from Mae's participation in four giant slalom competitions for ladies that were organised by the Alpine Ski Club Triglav at the Krvavec Ski area in Solvenia between 17th and 19th January 2014.
The competitions were organised at the request of the management of Vanessa Vanankorn (Mae's full name is Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson, through the Thai Olympic Committee in its capacity as the FIS member National Ski Association. The Krvavec competitions were the last opportunity for Vanessa Vanakorn to achieve the necessary FIS points to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games, Sochi 2014.
The Hearing Panel found that:
• The results of two giant slalom races on 19th January included a competitor who was not present at, and did not participate in the Krvavec Competitions.
• Another competitor was placed 2nd in one race despite the fact she fell. Her time is understood to have been adjusted afterwards by more than 10 seconds.
• At least one competitor started away from the starting gate outside the automatic timing wand that was manually opened by the starter when she was already on the course.
• A previously retired competitor with the best FIS points in the competition took part for the sole purpose of lowering the penalty to the benefit the participants in the races.
• The weather conditions were so bad that no regular race could be held and "any comparable competition in Slovenia would have been cancelled" according to the competition referee.
• The races courses were not changed for the second runs as is required by the FIS rules.
• Approximately 23 competitors participated in the two races held on 18th January 2014, however at least two competitors on the official results were not in attendance.
• Only eight competitors were on the start list for the two races on January 19th 2014 and only six achieved a result.
Along with Mae's ban, five officials received 1-2 year bans.