Maier has ski ban overturned

Hermann Maier had been disqualified in Val d'Isere

Overall World Cup champion Hermann Maier has been cleared by the International Ski Federation (FIS) to compete in the giant slalom at Bormio, Italy on Thursday.

The Austrian was fined 25,000 Swiss Francs (£10,000) and banned from the race for breaking FIS regulations at a race in the French resort of Val d'Isere on Sunday.

He exceeded a time limit during a pre-race piste inspection then leapt down the track without permission after hearing of his disqualification.

But Maier was given the green light by a three-man FIS appeals commission.

But the commission, chaired by fellow Austrian Christian Poley, upheld the decision of a FIS race jury to disqualify Maier from Sunday's giant slalom in Val d'Isere.

"Concerning the monetary fine the protesting Austrian Ski Federation has the possibility to go to the FIS Court," the FIS said in a statement.

Thursday's giant slalom goes ahead despite a decision to postpone the planned downhill due to a shortage of snow.