Switzerland's Michael von Grünigen has been confirmed as the winner of Sunday's giant slalom world cup race in Val d'Isère after the International Ski Federation (FIS) upheld the disqualification of Austrian superstar Hermann Maier.

After considering an appeal by the Austrian team, the FIS decided on Wednesday that it would lift the one race ban handed out to Maier. However it said that Sunday's result would stand.

Maier was excluded from the Val d'Isère race, which von Grünigen went on to win, after the Austrian broke the time limit on his morning inspection run. The defending world cup overall and giant slalom champion claimed he had not been given adequate warning by FIS officials.

Maier was also fined SFr 25,000 ($14,900) for making an unauthorised descent on Sunday's course ten minutes before the start of the race. On Wednesday the FIS said it would allow the Austrian team to take their appeal against the fine to the federation's court.

swissinfo with agencies

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