AUDI AG is Principal Sponsor of “Skiing Classic” on the “Streif”

Audi will again be part of the action when the world’s best skiers line up at the starting gates to downhill, super-G and slalom events in Kitzbühel at the penultimate weekend in January. Since 2001, Audi has been a partner to the Hahnenkamm Race staged on the famous course known as the “Streif”, which thrills and fascinates thousands of spectators year after year.

Hahnenkamm, Streif, Ganslern – these names inspire awe not only among the most ardent skiing aficionados. At speeds of up to 140 kph, participants from more than 20 nations plunge down the slopes towards the finish line. The combination of precision and perfect technology is the name of the game leading to victory in Kitzbühel – a combination embodied by the Audi brand and its vehicles, as well.

In particular the men’s downhill in Kitzbühel is deemed one of the greatest challenges in alpine skiing. The average speed of the skiers fighting for the coveted cup exceeds 105 kph, with extremely long jumps being a common occurrence.

Audi’s partnership with Kitzbühel is only one part of the company’s winter sports commitment. For the second year now, Audi has assumed title sponsorship of the entire Alpine Ski World Cup, named the “Audi FIS Ski World Cup” since the beginning of the 2002/2003 season. In addition, Audi is the presenting sponsor of the 2005 Alpine Ski World Championship in Bormio (Italy) and one of the major partners to the 2005 Nordic Ski World Championship in Oberstdorf.

As the principal sponsor of the German Skiing Federation (DSV) and sponsor of the teams from Sweden, Finland and Switzerland, the role assumed by AUDI AG far exceeds that of a financial partner. In addition to the vehicles which Audi provides to the active participants, officials and coaches, the competition skiers benefit from the company’s enormous technical know-how, as well: They regularly train at Audi’s wind tunnel centre in Ingolstadt.