Let's have a look at the Crystal Globe

In the early days of the alpine skiing, the best skiers of the season were awarded a shiny ski decorated with diamonds. Since the introduction of the Ski World Cup in 1966 though, the most coveted prize of the FIS season has been a unique crystal globe.

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Overall (height: 46cm, weight: 9kg) is a magnificent work of art made out of high quality lead crystal, glass blown by extraordinary craftmanship, polished and ground on the diamond wheel, with a lavishly engraved insigna and inscription. It is manufactured exclusively for FIS by the German company Joska ( www.joska.com ).

The globes awarded to the winners of each discipline World Cup are slightly smaller, weighting 4kg and 34cm high. As for the overall title, each gender is awarded with a separate throphy.

For the winter season 2007/08, the FIS World Cup Awards Ceremony takes place on Saturday, March 15th at 6pm in the ski stadium of the Stelvio course. Those trophies which will not be awarded on Saturday evening will be awarded after the last competition on the following day.

For a detailed breakdown of all the FIS World Cup tromphies for the 2007/08 season, please visit the official FIS website under the Marketing/PR section (direct address is
www.fis-ski.com/uk/mediamarketing/service/fis-world-cup-trophies.html )