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After Sunday's race, which saw Maëlle Veyre cross the finishing line first, the French athlete was disqualified for violating the ban on fluoro wax. Eleven other athletes whose skis tested positive for fluoro wax were also disqualified. The tests and testing procedures are precisely laid out and within FIS's complete control and responsibility.

Subsequent to the disqualifications, FIS reviewed the results and found that the prescribed procedure had not been adhered to in three of the twelve instances, upon which the FIS Office raised an objection to the three disqualifications deemed incorrect with the Appeals Commission. The Commission approved the appeal and annulled the disqualifications. The female athlete impacted by the verdict is Maëlle Veyre (FRA), who is now the official winner of the women's Engadin Skimarathon. The male athletes affected by the verdict are Silvan Durrer (SUI), now in 98th place, and Daniel Graetzer (SUI), now in 228th place. The other nine disqualifications have been upheld.

FIS accepts its responsibility

As the organising body, the Engadin Skimarathon was not involved in the fluoro wax tests; the entire procedure lies in the hands of FIS. However, the three cases are of great concern to Engadin Skimarathon's organising committee. For one, the wrongly disqualified athletes have the right to see their disqualifications handled correctly and revoked immediately in case of procedural errors. Beyond affecting the implicated athletes, the events also negatively impact their entourage and all the other athletes with a wrong ranking. Albeit beyond its control, the Engadin Skimarathon much regrets these events.

Since the race, the wrongly disqualified athletes and their support staff have been harshly criticised and alleged to have influenced the course of the race with unfair means. Today's annulation of the three disqualifications makes it very clear that the accusations are unfounded. Furthermore, the Engadin Skimarathon would like to express its sincere regrets to the three athletes and their entourage for the course of events and retrospectively congratulates Maëlle Veyre on her victory.

The Engadin Skimarathon recognises and appreciates FIS's pro-active initiative to conduct an in-depth review of the cases in question. Thus, the FIS assumes its responsibility towards sports and its athletes. That is the correct course of action to uphold the integrity and credibility of the tests.

Prize money will be upheld

The overturned disqualifications changed the racer rankings. On paper, the first six finishers of the women's race would lose part of the prize money paid. However, the Engadin Skimarathon organising committee has decided to stand by all the prize money given. With this gesture, it wants to help mitigate the emotional turmoil and frustration caused by these events.