Canada’s Kimberly Joines will now take home the bronze medal for the women’s sit-ski slalom at the Sochi Paralympics after a jury overturned the disqualification of the German skier who now has won gold.
Anna Schaffelhuber was disqualified after the first run of the race for not having her outriggers (the skis that para-skiers use for poles) in a stationary and fixed position at the start of the race. She appealed, and was allowed to race the second run while a decision about her appeal was considered.
On Thursday, the International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing Board of Appeal overturned the original disqualification, saying “Schaffelhuber had not gained a competitive advantage from her start and therefore should not have been disqualified.”
Her combined time was fast enough to win, bumping her teammate Anna-Lena Forster into second place and Joines into third.
“We are absolutely glad that this situation is over,” said German team spokesperson Marketa Mazoli.
The win is Schaffelhuber’s third of the 2014 Paralympic Games; she also won the sitting downhill and super-G.
Joines, of Rossland, B.C., finished her two runs in a combined time of 2 minutes, 15.16 seconds, well ahead of bronze-medallist Laurie Stephens of the United States, who will finish fourth.
Post via CBC Sports