Luc Alphand has made many a headline in his past, and it would appear as though he has far from finished. As a man who started out as a specialized downhill skier and who went on to win 12 FIS World Cup races in the sport, Alphand's successful transition to motor sport is right on track on he prepares to take on 54 other teams at the start of this year's 24 Heures du Mans.

It was in January of 1995 when Alphand first came into the spotlight. Pushing through the handicap of multiple previous injuries, Alphand arrived in Kitzbühel for the Hahnenkamm Races and took home a double victory in the two downhill events. Kitzbühel's Streif is known as one of the most difficult courses in the World Cup circuit, with its incredibly steep drops and its particularly icy runs. As each skier crosses the finish line and comes to a halt amidst a Mini snowstorm, they immediately swing their eyes to the Rolex timing board, hoping that they managed to beat the best time on the slope so far.

The fear and anxiety at the start line, the rush of cold air as the speed surpasses expectations, sharp turns half out of control, the disappointment of being .001 seconds away from taking the lead. The Hahnenkamm is often seen as the pinnacle of the World Cup Circuit, and just to take the podium once is an admirable achievement. But Alphand came on the scene with a double podium and did not stop on his path to victory for the next two years, going on to win the crystal globe World Cup in the downhill for three years in a row. In 1997 Alphand took home the overall FIS World Cup and, after taking a look at his grand total of 12 glorious victories, decided that at 32, it was time to retire.

Luc Alphand left the skiing world when some would say he was at his peak. He had made a name for himself that would carry on for generations, yet victory was never far, and this time it came to him in another form: motor sport. In 1998 Alphand created "Luc Alphand Aventures" with his friend and sporting director Philippe Poincloux. Alphand had had his first taste of victory behind the wheel at the Andros Trophy in Serre Chevalier and he was hooked on driving from then on out.

Rally driving was Alphand's first motor passion, and he merged naturally into the sport as though it had been made for him. But in 2001 Alphand decided that there was still something else he had to try, he wanted to test his endurance behind the wheel. The 24 Heures du Mans is thought of as one of the most demanding endurance races known to man- what could be a better challenge? And so Luc Alphand Aventures began their journey, finishing 17th overall after their first participation in the race in 2001. The team went on from there to finish 23rd, 21st, 16th and 18th overall in the 2002-2005 editions of the event respectively. Not bad marks considering many of the teams who start the 24 Heures du Mans never even make it to the finish, as the finishing regulations are strict and the competition is incredibly fierce. The fact that a small private team could come face to face with the usual large-scale factory teams involved this sort of event was a triumph in of itself. To make the rankings was no easy feat.

In 2006, Alphand and his team again took part in the 24 Heures du Mans and they finished 3rd in the LMGT1 category. But things would only continue to run in Alphand's favour. The 2007 season saw the team in the C6.R Corvette, and once again they qualified for a finish at the 24 Heures du Mans, this time with a 7th place victory in the LMGT1 category, 12th overall, along with a 2nd place finish in the Championship of the Le Mans Series in the LMGT1 category- Alphand was officially a name to know in motor sports.

And so we arrive at the present. The 2008 24 Heures du Mans is set to begin in just a few days. The Luc Alphand Aventures Team has been preparing thoroughly for the challenge they are about to face. The 13.629-kilometer course is not easygoing with a track that is part Bugatti circuit and part public roads. Drivers will face extreme conditions, trying to keep their car on the road for as much of the full 24-hours as possible, and the team that travels the most distance in that time will be declared the winner. And when the official Rolex countdown begins on Saturday at this year's 24 Heures du Mans, anything can happen.

And so one could say that although Luc Alphand may have left life as a professional skier behind him, he has clearly far from retired. He appears to keep himself very busy, travelling the world going from one race to another. And yet amongst all of his sporting triumphs he even finds time to form his own brewery with his brother, Brasserie L & L Alphand : Bière de Alpes. Looking back on his successful career one cannot help but wonder, just how much can one man do?

One thing is for sure, Luc Alphand is a name that is here to stay, and the Luc Alphand Aventures challenge for the 2008 24 Heures du Mans is a team to be reckoned with. All the action can be seen this weekend June 14th/15th in Le Mans, France. Just before 3pm the Rolex countdown will set the crowd on its toes, and as the flag goes down, the teams will begin one of the world's greatest endurance tests.