It is 46 centimeters high, weighs twelve kilograms, is hand-crafted from exquisite lead crystal – and the object of any skier’s desire. By this weekend, the decision of the winner of the 2010 Audi FIS Ski World Cup who will take the crystal ball home will have been made. In addition, the new format of the Nations Cup will celebrate its debut at the finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Will two-time Olympic gold medalist Maria Riesch manage a recovery or will her rival, front runner Lindsey Vonn, prevail? And what will be the outcome of the duel between Benjamin Raich and Carlo Janka in the men’s events? These sporting competitions for the overall World Cup are just two of many thrilling decisions to be made at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup finals. Tomorrow the women’s and men’s races will start in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and also serve as the dress rehearsal for the Alpine World Ski Championships to be held at the same venue in February 2011 with Audi as the presenting sponsor.

Audi has been the title sponsor of the World Cup and supporting its athletes since the 2002/2003 season. “Dynamism, sportiness, elegance and precise techniques and technology – many values of competitive skiing perfectly fit the Audi brand. We’re happy about this long and successful partnership and, above all, look forward to a thrilling finale of our eighth joint season,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. “Since the exploits of the German sportsmen and women at the Olympic Games attracted their attention, we’re sure that even more fans of the sport will be keeping their fingers crossed for Maria Riesch and the other athletes.”

After the decisions in downhill, giant slalom, super-G and slalom, fans will also get to witness a world premiere: for the first time, the Nations Cup will feature a new, attractive and, above all, spectator-friendly format. The Nations Team Event starts at 11 CET on Sunday. Two ladies and two men per heat will fight a duel of nations in a parallel giant slalom race. The winning team will be qualified for the next round. One point is awarded per win; the 16 best nations will compete.

The finale in Garmisch-Partenkirchen marks the end of the eighth season for Audi as the World Cup’s title sponsor as well as the beginning of a countdown: In spring of 2011 and in spring of 2013 Audi will support the Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and in Schladming (Austria) as presenting sponsor. AUDI AG has been the main sponsor of the German Ski Federation (DSV) including all national teams and, in addition, is the partner of the alpine teams from Sweden, Finland, France, Liechtenstein, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, the United States, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

AUDI press release

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