Vanessa-Mae banned from skiing for four years
The International Ski Federation (FIS) has banned violinist Vanessa-Mae from skiing for four years after results were manipulated to help her qualify for the Sochi Winter Olympics.
An FIS hearing panel found “violations” in the Thailand skier’s results at an event in Slovenia.
Vanessa-Mae, a 36-year-old British citizen, qualified days before the deadline after competing in the hastily-staged races in January.
Five officials involved in the event have also been banned by the FIS.
Vanessa-Mae was born in Singapore to Thai and Chinese parents and moved to England at the age of 4
The competitions in Slovenia were organized at the request of the management of the skier, through the Thai Olympic Committee.
Competing as Vanessa Vanakorn, she went on to finish last of 67 competitors in the giant slalom at the Sochi Games, 50 seconds adrift of winner Tina Maze.
The FIS said in a statement: “The hearing panel found to its comfortable satisfaction that the results of the four ladies’ giant slalom races that took place on 18 and 19 January at Krvavec were manipulated.”
Vanessa-Mae was born in Singapore to Thai and Chinese parents and moved to England at the age of 4 after her mother married a British lawyer.
She earned fame as a violinist during her childhood with a series of performances on British television before going on to launch a successful solo career with album sales running into millions.
The International Olympic Committee said it would not be taking any follow-up action until the outcome of any appeal was known.
