The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals 2010 are currently taking place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER). At the start of the Finals, the winner of the coveted crystal globes was still to be determined in seven of the 12 rankings (ten events and two overall standings). On the ladies side, Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is in pole position to win her third consecutive overall World Cup crystal globe as her friend, rival and fellow Head skier, Germany's Maria Riesch will probably not be able to pose a challenge even after impressively winning Wednesday's final downhill on the new ladies' course. With three races and a maximum of 300 points up for grabs, she is over 220 points behind the American, who has already won the small globes in downhill, super-G and super combined. Riesch herself has yet to win the big crystal globe: "It's not so bad. I still had a sensational season," said the Bavarian, who is excited that the FIS World Cup Finals are being held on her home slope in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The contest for the overall title is effectively a two-horse race with Riesch clearly ahead of third-placed Anja Paerson of Sweden.

In the ladies' giant slalom, Tina Maze won the last competition but the globe went to Riesch's teammate and reigning GS world champion Kathrin Hölzl. Kathrin Zettel, Hölzl's greatest challenger for crystal, ended up 9th in the last GS of the season. In the slalom rankings, however, Riesch has a good chance to win her second consecutive title, leading by 23 points over Kathrin Zettel (AUT / 410) and Sandrine Aubert (FRA / 361). Austria's Marlies Schild is in fourth with 320 points and Sarka Zahrobska (CZE /318) fifth.

In the men's battle for the overall title, Switzerland's Carlo Janka took the lead from Benjamin Raich after winning the final downhill race of the season, his downhill third win this season. Didier Cuche (SUI) - who confirmed his third victory in the downhill standings last weekend in Kvitfjell - and Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR) in 3rd and 4th position are no longer in the race for the large globe. The super combined title has already been claimed by Raich and the downhill discipline globe was recorded by Cuche even before the season's last race. An exciting decision was seen in the men's super-G where Canada's Erik Guay posted two consecutive wins in Kvitfjell and Garmisch to capture the small globe ahead of Austria's Michael Walchhofer who led the standings until the final in GAP. In giant slalom and slalom, the last word has certainly not yet been spoken.

The German winter sports capital Garmisch-Partenkirchen has adapted the line profiles of the legendary Kandahar downhill and Gudiberg slalom with extensive construction projects according to the latest technical requirements. The 3330 meter long Kandahar on which all speed competitions will take place, has become more challenging and attractive: Four big jumps and a steep section just before the finish promise viewers watching the races on-site and on the screens at home spectacular races. Around 30 cameras will be used by the host broadcaster solely on this race course, including special devices such as super-slow motion cameras.

Even the slalom run at Gudiberg has been optimized, giving fans an excellent view of the entire race hill. The slalom takes place right above the historic Olympic Ski Stadium that will also host the Opening Ceremony of Garmisch 2011. Expectations will be high for the German Olympic ski-heroines Maria Riesch and Victoria Rebensburg as well as Felix Neureuther and Susanne Riesch in their home race.

The overall Audi FIS Ski World Cup globes will be handed out at the conclusion of the Finals on Saturday 13th March while the Nations Cup trophy will follow after the new format Nations' Team Event on Sunday 14th March.