Audi FIS Ski World Cup Kranjska Gora (SLO)

Kranjska Gora (SLO) 03 Jan 2026 – 04 Jan 2026

Source: https://www.fis-ski.com/

Audi FIS Ski World Cup

Women’s Giant Slalom

January 03, 2026

•  1st Run: 10:00
•  2nd Run: 13:00

Audi FIS Ski World Cup

Women’s Slalom

January 04, 2026

•  1st Run: 09:30
•  2nd Run: 12:15

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Kranjska Gora is one of the most storied and demanding stops on the alpine skiing circuit.¹ Historically known as the Vitranc Cup (Pokal Vitranc) for the men’s events, it has also recently become the permanent home for the women’s Golden Fox (Zlata Lisica) races.

1. The Origins: The Vitranc Cup (1961)²

The history of competitive skiing in Kranjska Gora began in 1961 with the first Vitranc Cup, named after the Vitranc mountain peak.³

• The Early Years: The first races were international FIS events.⁴ The original course was notoriously steep and dangerous, often compared to the “Harakiri” or the Streif in Kitzbühel.⁵
• Joining the World Cup: In 1968, just one year after the FIS World Cup was founded, Kranjska Gora became an official stop.⁶ The first World Cup winner there was French skier Patrick Russel in the slalom.⁷

2. The Famous “Podkoren” Slope⁸

The races are held on the Podkoren 3 slope, which is widely considered one of the most difficult giant slalom courses in the world.⁹

• The Terrain: It features a maximum incline of 30.5° (59%), requiring extreme technical precision and physical strength.¹⁰
• Relocation: The race was moved to the current Podkoren site in 1983 to provide a more consistent and challenging technical arena.¹¹

3. Iconic Moments & National Pride

For Slovenia, the Kranjska Gora races are more than a sport; they are a cultural phenomenon.

• Bojan Križaj (1982): One of the most legendary moments in Slovenian sports history occurred when local hero Bojan Križaj won the slalom, beating the great Ingemar Stenmark in front of a record 32,000 spectators.¹²
• The Golden Fox Move: Traditionally held in Maribor, the women’s “Golden Fox” races frequently moved to Kranjska Gora due to better snow conditions.¹³ As of the 2020s, it has effectively become the permanent venue for the women’s technical races as well.

4. Legends of the Vitranc Cup

A “who’s who” of skiing history has triumphed on these slopes. The most successful athletes include:

• Ted Ligety (USA): Often called “Mr. GS,” he holds the record for the most Giant Slalom wins in Kranjska Gora (6).¹⁴
• Marcel Hirscher (AUT): Tied with Ligety for the most total wins (6) and holds the record for the most podium finishes (15).¹⁵
• Ingemar Stenmark (SWE): A frequent winner and dominant force on this hill during the 1970s and 80s.
• Alberto Tomba (ITA):¹⁶ Known for his charismatic wins and massive fan following at the venue.

Summary of Key Milestones