FIS rejects appeal against Defago's disqualification

FIS rejects appeal against Defago’s disqualification{mosimage}The Swiss Ski Association failed in its appeal against Didier Defago’s disqualification from last weekend’s World Cup super combined race in Val d’Isere, France.

Defago was initially awarded the win in Sunday’s race but was then disqualified for an equipment infringement. The International Ski Federation rejected the appeal late Friday.

The distance between the base of Defago’s ski and the sole of his boot was above the FIS limit of 55 millimeters (2.17 inches). After the race, several measurements were made on the Rossignol skis, with half found to be 55.1 or 55.2 millimeters.

In their protest, which was made Monday, the Swiss Ski Association requested the skis be remeasured.

“The Appeals Commission, having reviewed the documents, found the jury decision of 11th December 2005 to disqualify Didier Defago (SUI) to be correct,” the FIS said in a statement.

Austria’s Michael Walchhofer was awarded the win.

– The Associated Press