THE SIDELINES : Ski Victory Gets Seal of Approval

Rudolf Nierlich of Austria was confirmed as the world giant slalom champion today when the International Ski Federation ruled that his racing suit conformed to its standards.

Nierlich successfully defended his title at the world championships in Austria last Sunday, but the federation confiscated his ski suit for a check after four rival teams protested because it was missing a metal FIS seal of approval.

The race jury had rejected demands for Nierlich’s disqualification by Italy, France, Switzerland and Norway after he finished the first run without the seal. Nierlich said he “must have lost it during the race” and he was allowed to enter the second heat with another suit.

A Swiss government laboratory said Wednesday that, upon inspection, the suit met FIS standards on aerodynamic uniformity, a federation statement said.