Hosts Slovenia seeks further ski flying success in Planica season finale
Mar 25, 2025·Ski Jumping)
Slovenia's World Championship gold medal winning men’s team will have the opportunity to round-off a fascinating 2024/25 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup campaign on a home hill as the season reaches its climax with a triple-header in Planica (SLO).
Domen Prevc, who also won the men’s large hill contest at Trondheim 2025, together with team champions Lovro Kos, Timi Zajc and Lahti World Cup winner Anze Lanisek will be among the hosts nine-strong line-up.
Between 27-30 March, they will look to continue their nation’s proud run of success on the Gorišek brothers’ HS240 Flying Hill, with a Slovenian athlete having won at least one Planica World Cup event in each of the last three editions.
“The season is not going well for me and I can't wait for the summer, but I think I have a real chance of success,” said Zajc, who claimed victory in the 2022/23 campaign.
“I'm looking forward to the possibility of winning something this weekend.”
While Slovenia’s leading athletes will be among the contenders for both individual and team successes during the four-day contest, attention will also focus on Austria’s strongest pair during the current campaign.
Daniel Tschofenig holds a commanding 114-point advantage over team-mate Jan Hoerl in the race for the FIS World Cup Overall, Crystal Globe, title and is the overwhelming favorite.
However, while it is still mathematically possible, Hoerl will not give up on what would be a maiden overall title for him also.
Japanese Olympic champion jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi set current the hill record with a stunning effort of 252m in 2019 and there is a strong believe that mark could be broken at this year’s contest.
Another target for several athletes in the field will be the ‘small’ Crystal Globe crown, which is awarded to the athlete who attains the most points in Ski Flying events across the season.
Prevc currently leads with 305 points, with countryman Zajc on 222, while Andreas Wellinger (GER) is on 210 and Kobayashi (JPN) 175.
“In the last four years, we have always come to Planica well prepared, said Slovenian national team head coach Robert Hrgota.
“The boys don't need much encouragement, I remember from my time what Planica meant and I think we can only enjoy this weekend, but we have to finish a few things.
“The small crystal globe is still at stake, and victories in each of the three races.”
Prevc adds; “I've studied Planica more and more every year, but I need to calm down and I have to work on what I'm good at and that's it.”
The stands are expected to be full during the four days of competition, with 600 children and young people from across Slovenia, as well as Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia set to be among those in the crowd on the opening day, on Thursday.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate our eagles on their recent successes,” said Bourt Meh, President of the Ski Jumping Association and Committee and the National Ski Jumping Federation.
“I think this is the best invitation that Planica will be really full and bursting at the seams. Let's all go to Planica!
Lovro Kos added; “We are all looking forward to Planica.
There is nothing else to do but enjoy yourself there. The most fans come on Saturday, the atmosphere at the team competition is exceptional.”
Another of the host nation athletes seeking to perform in front of the home crowd is Anže Lanišek, who finished second twice in the 2022/23 campaign, before placing 25th and 37th last season, having only recently returned following two months out through injury.
“You respect every airfield, but last year I was a little scared because of my knee, but that was more in my head,” he reveals ahead his bid for a second successive World Cup win.
“Last year I managed one good flight, this year I'm counting on seven official top flights. I'll try to enjoy myself and then we'll see what happens.”
Planica World Cup Facts & Figures
Planica debuted as a World Cup host in 1980 and has featured consistently ever since.
Planica has also held the FIS Ski Flying World Championships seven times; 1972, 1979, 1985, 1994, 2004, 2010 and 2020.
The ski jumping or flying hill in Planica is called Letalnica bratov Gorišek, in English: Flying hill of Gorišek brothers. The hill size of the great hill of Planica is 240 metres.
The hill was built in 1967-1968 and the first competition in the hill was held in 1969.
Ziga Jelar began the recent run of Slovenian success with victory in 2021/22.
Timi Zajc continued the streak in 2022/23, with Lanisek was second twice.
Peter Prevc (SLO) was the most recent host-nation winner, last season.
The Planica 7 award will be given to the jumper who accumulates the most points across all seven jumps across the four days of competition, including both individual competitions, the team competition and qualifying rounds.
Planica World Cup Program
27 March
10:00 – Start Qualification - Men's Individual FH
28 March
15:00 - Start Competition - Men's Individual FH
29 March
09:30 - Start Competition - Men's Team FH
30 March
09:30 - Start Competition - Men's Individual FH
*all times are displayed in Central European Time (CET) and are subject to change.
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