World sports court rejects appeal by Defago over World Cup DQ

World sports court rejects appeal by Defago over World Cup DQ{mosimage}LAUSANNE, Switzerland — World sport’s highest court rejected an appeal by the Swiss Ski Federation against Didier Defago’s disqualification from a World Cup race last season.

Defago was initially awarded the victory in the Dec. 11 super combined race in Val D’Isere, France, but was then disqualified for an equipment infringement.

The International Ski Federation rejected the appeal a week later. The Swiss then took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

”The technical examination of Didier Defago’s material was done in conformity with FIS’ rules,” the Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement Tuesday.

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.

Austria’s Michael Walchhofer was awarded the win.

— The Associated Press