Vitranc Cup

Vitranc Cup (Slovenian: Pokal Vitranc) is an annual FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competition, held since 1961 in Kranjska Gora, Upper Carniola, Slovenia.

For Giant slalom, Kranjska Gora is considered one of the three most prestigious and challenging locations in the world, along with Adelboden and Alta Badia.

This competition is the successor of the "Bukovniški smuk" (Bukovnik Downhill), "kamikaze dowhnill" race first held in Kranjska Gora in 1949.

1961: First edition
On 4 March 1961, the first ever Vitranc Cup event was held on an extremely demanding and steep giant slalom course from the top of the Vitranc mountain. The event was also known as "hara-kiri with acceleration".

1962: Event not scheduled at all
In 1962, for the only time in history, the competition did not meet the schedule at all, because the Yugoslavian Ski Federation office in Belgrade simply forgot to send the application to the International Ski Federation (FIS).

1968: World Cup debut
On 10 March 1968, the Vitranc Cup (Kranjska Gora) hosted the first ever World Cup alpine ski event in Slovenia (also Yugoslavia at the same time). The Slalom was won by the French skier Patrick Russel.

1982: Record attendance
On 20 March 1982, Bojan Križaj was the first Slovenian to win the World Cup at the home ground in front of a record crowd of 32,000 people. This record hasn't been broken yet at alpine skiing events in Slovenia, and it beat the record set at Ingemar Stenmark's event.

1983: New permanent course opened
On 29–30 January 1983, the Vitranc Cup competition was, for the last time, held on an old steep course above the old gas station, before moving to a new and now permanent course in nearby Podkoren, still in use today.

On 1–2 December 1983, the competition was, for the first time, held and permanently moved to the new "Podkoren 3" course nearby, constructed and designed by ex Slovenian skier Peter Lakota. The women's competition was held first, the next day was the men's race. It was the first and only time in history when Slovenia hosted the World Cup opening race for both men and women. This was also the first and only time when women competed for the Vitranc Cup.

1985: Petrovič won infront of a home crowd
On 21 December 1985, Rok Petrovič celebrated the 2nd of his five World Cup career wins in his career, dominating the season, in front of a home crowd of 30,000 people.

1986: Double Slovenian win
On 20 December 1986, then Slovenian sports icons Bojan Križaj and Petrovič achieved a double Slovenian win, beating 3rd placed Ingemar Stenmark.

Women
At the start of the season, women for the first and only time in the history of this competition, raced for the "Vitranc Cup".

Substitute events
Kranjska Gora replaced 6 cancelled men's events from other countries, which aren't considered Vitranc Cup events:


 * 4 Mar 2016 – Henrik Kristoffersen won the Friday additional giant slalom. Venue replaced: Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER).
 * 29 Jan 2010 – Ted Ligety won the Friday additional giant slalom. Venue replaced: Adelboden (SUI).
 * 20 Dec 2001 – Fredrik Nyberg won the Friday additional giant slalom. Venue replaced: Aspen (USA).
 * 8 Mar 2000 – Christian Mayer won the extra giant slalom. Venue replaced: Adelboden (SUI).
 * 6 Jan 1990 – Jonas Nilsson won the Saturday additional slalom. Venue replaced: Madonna di Campiglio (ITA).
 * 3 Jan 1986 – Joël Gaspoz won the extra giant slalom. Venue replaced: Borovets (BUL).

Multiple winners
With at least two wins or more.

Club5+
In 1986, the elite Club5 was originally established by 5 prestigious and classic downhill organizers: Kitzbühel, Wengen, Garmisch, Val d’Isère and Val Gardena/Gröden, with the goal to bring alpine ski sports to the highest levels possible.

Later, over the years, other classic long-term organizers joined the now renamed Club5+: Alta Badia, Cortina, Kranjska Gora, Maribor, Lake Louise, Schladming, Adelboden, Kvitfjell, St.Moritz and Åre.