Alfa Romeo’s former FIA European Touring Car champions Gabriele Tarquini and Fabrizio Giovanardi competed in an unusual race in Bormio, against the Alfa Romeo Ski Racing Team led by Kristian Ghedina.

On an icy track, in the village that hosted the Ski World Championship, drivers and skiers fought each other at the wheel of some Alfa Romeo Crosswagon Q4s, the Alfa Romeo Ski Racing Team’s official car.

For many years Alfa Romeo has been a sponsor and official supplier of the Italian National Team, a partnership that is really looking forward to the next Winter Olympics of Turin 2006.

Downhill racec Ghedina, who also has a good experience as an amateur racing driver, emerged among his fellow Italian National Team mates, including Giorgio Rocca, who had claimed the Slalom bronze medal a few minutes earlier.

The meeting built up to a highlight when Ghedina finally met Giovanardi in a breathtaking duel, packed with skidding and countersteering.

“I would have liked to be a racing driver,” an amused Ghedina said. “But because I could not drive when I was 13, I chose skiing. Should I decide to leave after next year’s Olympic Games, who knows, I might switch to motor sport"