In a weekly column Le-Mans record winner Tom Kristensen gives some exclusive insights behind the scenes of the world’s most famous endurance race and the preparation by Audi Sport Team Joest.

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.

The Audi Group ended the 2009 fiscal year with a clearly positive operating profit and only a slight downturn in vehicle deliveries, despite the major effects of the global financial and economic crisis: "The operating profit of €1.6 billion shows that we are among the best in the industry, even under difficult conditions. Our policy of consistently improving our productivity and investing massively in the typical Audi values of design, sportiness, quality and efficiency over the past few years is now paying dividends," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.

The Audi Group ended the 2009 fiscal year with a clearly positive operating profit and only a slight downturn in vehicle deliveries, despite the major effects of the global financial and economic crisis: ?The operating profit of ?1.6 billion shows that we are among the best in the industry, even under difficult conditions. Our policy of consistently improving our productivity and investing massively in the typical Audi values of design, sportiness, quality and efficiency over the past few years is now paying dividends,? said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.