Audi Is Presenting Sponsor Of World Ski Championship In Val d'Isère

INGOLSTADT – October 9, 2008: When the stars compete at the Alpine World Ski Championship from 2 to 15 February 2009 the entire international ski community will focus its attention on Val d’Isère, France, for two weeks. As before in St. Moritz and Bormio, AUDI AG is again the Presenting Sponsor of the season’s most important competitions in alpine skiing.

On banners along the track and finish, on the rear wall of the winners’ podium, on hot air balloons and of course on the official world championship logo – these are just a few examples of where Audi will present itself during the World Ski Championship in Val d’Isère. At an altitude of 1 800 metres a veritable winter sports spectacle is awaiting the fans: 350 athletes from 60 nations will compete in a total of eleven disciplines. 1 500 media representatives have already announced their attendance. Altogether, more than 600 hours of ski sport coverage is planned to be aired worldwide from France.

The World Championship will kick off with the opening ceremony on 2 February. The first decision will then be made as early as on the following day, in the ladies’ super-G. A highlight on both the way to the final competition, the men’s slalom, as well as to the grand closing ceremony will be the men’s downhill race on 7 February. The track to be tackled by the athletes from the start house located at an altitude of 2,809 metres is 2 905 metres long. The spectators will be witnessing the fight for medals in close proximity: 90 per cent of the race track can be viewed from the fan area around the finish line.

Audi’s commitment at world ski championships has become a tradition: as early as in 2003 Audi presented itself with an extensive programme in St. Moritz, in Bormio in 2005 and, via its Swedish importer, in Åre in 2007. Yet the part the brand plays at the world championships is just one element of its extensive winter sport commitment: for over two decades, AUDI AG has been the main sponsor of the German Ski Association (DSV) including all national teams. The commitment not only involves the role of a financial sponsor but also as a supporter at many joint events and activities. The athletes value the advantages of the quattro drive of the models, which take them safely to training sessions and world cup events.

The 2008/2009 season marks as much as the seventh year in which Audi has been supporting the “Audi FIS Ski World Cup” as the title sponsor and name giver. In addition to the DSV, the Alpine national teams from Sweden, Finland, France, Liechtenstein and Italy as well as the athletes from Austria and the United States can rely on the equally sporty and safe power of Audi models.