Violinist Vanessa-Mae to contest 'nonsensical' skiing ban

By Nick HopeBBC Olympic sports reporter
Vanessa Mae
British violinist Vanessa-Mae competed at the Sochi Winter Olympics for her father's nation Thailand

Violinist Vanessa-Mae will take her appeal against a four-year skiing ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The International Ski Federation [FIS] imposed the punishment after ruling she helped "manipulate" results to ensure her place at the Sochi Olympics.

Mae, 36, and five officials were banned after an investigationexternal-link into four races in Slovenia, taking place just before the January qualification deadline.

"[The] sanction against me is nonsensical," said Mae in a statement.

"I believe that suffering a nasty experience can be turned into positive inspiration."

The Singapore-born British violinist competed for her father's nation - Thailand - at the Sochi Winter Olympics and under his surname 'Vanakorn'.

She finished 67th and last in the Giant Slalom - over 50 seconds slower than Slovenian race winner Tina Maze - and more than 11 seconds behind the 66th competitor.

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