Violinist Vanessa Mae appeals four-year ski ban

Vanessa Mae has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against her four-year ban handed out by the International Ski Federation.

Mae, the classical violinist who competed for Thailand at the 2014 Winter Olympics under the name Vanessa Vanakorn, was found guilty by the FIS last month of taking part in races which were fixed to help her qualify for the Sochi event.

The 36-year-old took part in the women's giant-slalom in Sochi and finished last out of the 67 competitors.

"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has received two appeals from Ms Vanessa Vanakorn, filed against the decisions taken by the Hearing Panel of the International Ski Federation (FIS) of 6 November 2014 and by the FIS Council on 18 November 2014, in relation to her qualification for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games," CAS said in a statement on Thursday.

"In appealing to the CAS, Ms Vanakorn seeks the annulment of both decisions. Two arbitration procedures have been opened and are being conducted in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration."

FIS issued a statement in November saying that it had "found to its comfortable satisfaction" that the results of the four ladies giant slalom races in Krvavec were manipulated, especially in regard to the points awarded to Mae.