German automotive manufacturer Audi has expanded its association with the International Ski Federation (FIS) by becoming the main sponsor of its Nordic Combined World Cup.
The Nordic Combined World Cup joins a number of other disciplines sponsored by Audi, which holds the naming rights to the Ski World Cup and the Ski Cross World Cup and will be the presenting partner of the Alpine Ski World Championships in 2015 and 2017.
The partnership includes activities outside of competitions, such as the German Ski Federation’s team gaining the opportunity for its Nordic combined athletes to train at the Audi wind tunnel in Ingolstadt.
At the facility, ski jumpers can simulate longer airborne phases and have the opportunity to work on their approach and flight assisted by expert video analysis.
The 2013-14 Nordic Combined World Cup season begins in Kuusamo, Finland, at the end of November and will subsequently take the athletes to 11 other venues across Europe until its finale next March.
The terms of the deal between FIS and Audi for the new World Cup deal were undisclosed.