Vitranc Cup

From the first Vitranc Cup (1961)
Information
Slovenian: Pokal Vitranc
Debut: 4–5 March 1961
Disciplines: slalom, giant slalom
Member: Club5+
Editions: 61
Most wins
Total: Austria Marcel Hirscher (6x)
Giant slalom: United States Ted Ligety (5x)
Slalom: Austria Benjamin Raich (4x)
World Cup events
Total: 80
Men: 79
Women: 1
Current course
Name: "Podkoren 3"
Opened: 1 December 1983
Max. incline: 30.5° degrees (59%)
Min. incline: 10.2° degrees (18%)
Architect: Slovenia Peter Lakota
Full cancelation
5–times: 1974, 1976, 1981, 2000, 2020

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.[1]

History

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1961: First edition

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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".[2][3][4]

1962: Event not scheduled at all

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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).[5]

1968: World Cup debut

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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.[6]

1982: Record attendance

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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.[7][8]

1983: New permanent course opened

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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.[9][10][11]

1985: Petrovič won infront of a home crowd

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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.[12][13]

1986: Double Slovenian win

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On 20 December 1986, then Slovenian sports icons Bojan Križaj and Petrovič achieved a double Slovenian win, beating 3rd placed Ingemar Stenmark.[14]

Vitranc Cup Top 3 results

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Edition Year Date Event Winner Second Third
FIS World Cup
62nd 2023 12 March   GS     Marco Odermatt   Alexis Pinturault   Henrik Kristoffersen
11 March   GS     Marco Odermatt   Henrik Kristoffersen   Alexis Pinturault
61st 2022 13 March   GS   Henrik Kristoffersen   Stefan Brennsteiner     Marco Odermatt
12 March   GS   Henrik Kristoffersen   Lucas Braathen
    Marco Odermatt
60th 2021 14 March   SL   Clément Noël   Victor Muffat-Jeandet     Ramon Zenhäusern
13 March   GS     Marco Odermatt     Loïc Meillard   Stefan Brennsteiner
59th 2020 15 March   SL cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
14 March   GS
58th 2019 10 March   SL     Ramon Zenhäusern   Henrik Kristoffersen   Marcel Hirscher
9 March   GS   Henrik Kristoffersen   Rasmus Windingstad     Marco Odermatt
57th 2018 4 March   SL   Marcel Hirscher   Henrik Kristoffersen     Ramon Zenhäusern
3 March   GS   Marcel Hirscher   Henrik Kristoffersen   Alexis Pinturault
56th 2017 5 March   SL   Michael Matt   Stefano Gross   Felix Neureuther
4 March   GS   Marcel Hirscher   Leif Kristian Haugen   Matts Olsson
55th 2016 6 March   SL   Marcel Hirscher   Henrik Kristoffersen   Stefano Gross
5 March   GS   Marcel Hirscher   Alexis Pinturault   Henrik Kristoffersen
54th 2015 15 March   SL   Henrik Kristoffersen   Giuliano Razzoli   Mattias Hargin
14 March   GS   Alexis Pinturault   Marcel Hirscher   Thomas Fanara
53rd 2014 9 March   SL   Felix Neureuther   Fritz Dopfer   Henrik Kristoffersen
8 March   GS   Ted Ligety   Benjamin Raich   Henrik Kristoffersen
52nd 2013 10 March   SL   Ivica Kostelić   Marcel Hirscher   Mario Matt
9 March   GS   Ted Ligety   Marcel Hirscher   Alexis Pinturault
51st 2012 11 March   SL   André Myhrer   Cristian Deville   Alexis Pinturault
10 March   GS   Ted Ligety   Alexis Pinturault   Marcel Hirscher
50th 2011 6 March   SL   Mario Matt   Nolan Kasper
  Axel Bäck
5 March   GS   Beat Feuz   Erik Guay   Michael Walchhofer
49th 2010 31 January   SL   Reinfried Herbst   Marcel Hirscher   Julien Lizeroux
30 January   GS   Marcel Hirscher   Kjetil Jansrud   Ted Ligety
48th 2009 1 March   SL   Julien Lizeroux   Giuliano Razzoli   Felix Neureuther
28 February   GS   Ted Ligety   Didier Cuche   Massimiliano Blardone
47th 2008 9 March   SL   Manfred Mölgg   Ivica Kostelić   Marcel Hirscher
8 March   GS   Ted Ligety   Manfred Mölgg   Massimiliano Blardone
46th 2007 4 March   SL   Mario Matt   Benjamin Raich   Manfred Mölgg
3 March   GS   Benjamin Raich   François Bourque   Massimiliano Blardone
45th 2005 22 December   SL   Giorgio Rocca   Thomas Grandi   Ted Ligety
21 December   GS   Benjamin Raich   Massimiliano Blardone   Thomas Grandi
44th 2005 27 February   SL   Giorgio Rocca   André Myhrer   Benjamin Raich
26 February   GS   Benjamin Raich   Hermann Maier   Kalle Palander
43rd 2004 29 February   SL   Truls Ove Karlsen   Tom Stiansen   Mario Matt
28 February   GS   Bode Miller   Alberto Schieppati   Alexander Ploner
42nd 2003 5 January   SL   Ivica Kostelić   Rainer Schönfelder   Jean-Pierre Vidal
4 January   GS   Bode Miller   Christian Mayer   Sami Uotila
41st 2001 22 December   SL   Jean-Pierre Vidal   Mario Matt   Ivica Kostelić
21 December   GS   Benjamin Raich   Bode Miller   Didier Cuche
40th 2000 21 December   SL lack of snow; replaced in Madonna di Campiglio (19 December)
20 December   GS lack of snow; replaced in Bormio (21 December)
39th 1999 21 December   SL     Didier Plaschy   Benjamin Raich   Thomas Stangassinger
38th 1999 6 January   SL   Jure Košir   Thomas Stangassinger Benjamin Raich
5 January   GS   Patrick Holzer   Christian Mayer   Hans Knauß
37th 1998 4 January   SL   Thomas Sykora   Pierrick Bourgeat   Thomas Stangassinger
3 January   GS   Christian Mayer   Hermann Maier     Michael von Grünigen
36th 1997 6 January   SL   Thomas Sykora   Sébastien Amiez   Thomas Stangassinger
5 January   GS     Michael von Grünigen   Siegfried Voglreiter   Kjetil André Aamodt
35th 1995 22 December   SL   Alberto Tomba   Jure Košir   Sébastien Amiez
21 December   GS   Lasse Kjus     Michael von Grünigen   Mario Reiter
34th 1995 6 January   GS   Alberto Tomba   Mitja Kunc
  Harald Strand Nilsen
33rd 1994 9 January   SL   Finn Christian Jagge   Ole Kristian Furuseth   Thomas Fogdö
8 January   GS   Fredrik Nyberg   Matteo Belfrond   Tobias Barnerssoi
32nd 1992 20 December   GS   Marc Girardelli   Lasse Kjus   Fredrik Nyberg
19 December   SL   Thomas Fogdö   Alberto Tomba   Peter Roth
31st 1992 5 January   SL   Alberto Tomba   Armin Bittner   Finn Christian Jagge
4 January   GS   Sergio Bergamelli   Hans Pieren   Alberto Tomba
30th 1990 22 December   SL   Ole Kristian Furuseth   Thomas Fogdö   Thomas Stangassinger
21 December   GS   Alberto Tomba   Urs Kälin   Marc Girardelli
29th 1990 7 January   SL   Armin Bittner   Bernhard Gstrein   Paul Accola
6 January   GS cancelled and replaced at La Villa (14 January)
28th 1988 17 December   SL   Marc Girardelli   Armin Bittner   Alberto Tomba
27th 1987 20 December   SL   Alberto Tomba   Richard Pramotton   Günther Mader
19 December   GS   Helmut Mayer   Pirmin Zurbriggen   Hubert Strolz
26th 1986 20 December   SL   Bojan Križaj   Rok Petrović   Ingemar Stenmark
19 December   GS   Joël Gaspoz   Roberto Erlacher   Richard Pramotton
25th 1985 21 December   SL   Rok Petrovič   Jonas Nilsson   Thomas Stangassinger
20 December   GS   Joël Gaspoz   Roberto Erlacher   Hubert Strolz
24th 1985 16 February   SL   Marc Girardelli   Ingemar Stenmark   Paul Frommelt
  Jonas Nilsson
15 February   GS   Thomas Bürgler   Pirmin Zurbriggen   Marc Girardelli
23rd 1983 2 December   SL   Andreas Wenzel   Petar Popangelov   Paul Frommelt
22nd 1983 30 January   SL   Franz Gruber   Stig Strand   Michel Canac
29 January   GS   Hans Enn   Max Julen   Ingemar Stenmark
21st 1982 20 March   SL   Bojan Križaj   Ingemar Stenmark   Franz Gruber
19 March   GS   Phil Mahre   Hans Enn   Marc Girardelli
20th 1981 28 March   GS lack of snow and high temperatures; replaced the same day at Laax
FIS International
19th 1979 15 December   SL   Bojan Križaj   Piero Gros   Bruno Nockler
14 December   GS   Bojan Križaj   Bruno Nockler   Boris Strel
FIS World Cup
18th 1978 22 December   GS   Ingemar Stenmark   Peter Lüscher   Bojan Križaj
21 December   SL   Ingemar Stenmark   Paul Frommelt   Leonardo David
FIS International
17th 1977 22 December   SL   Anton Steiner   Mauro Bernardi   Manfred Brunner
21 December   GS   Mauro Bernardi   Hans Enn   Bojan Križaj
FIS World Cup
16th 1976 21 December   SL high temperatures; replaced at Laax (3 January 1977)
FIS Europa Cup
15th 1976 11 January   SL   Andreas Arnold   Bartl Gensbichler   Jorge García
FIS International
14th 1975 14 April   SL   F. Fernández Ochoa   Mauro Bernardi   Johann Kniewasser
13 April   GS   F. Fernández Ochoa   Manfred Brunner   Herbert Plank
FIS World Cup
 see  1974 20 December   GS lack of snow; rescheduled to 13–14 April 1975 (see 14th edition)
FIS Europa Cup
13th 1974 11 January   SL cancelled due to lack of snow
10 January   GS
12th 1973 7 January   SL   Claude Perrot   Gustav Thöni   Alfred Matt
6 January   GS   Gustav Thöni   Helmuth Schmalzl   Hansi Hinterseer
11th 1972 5 January   SL   Andrzej Bachleda   Alain Penz   Rick Chaffee
4 January   GS   Werner Mattle   Alain Penz   Sepp Heckelmiller
FIS International
10th 1971 21 February   SL   Gérard Bonnevie   N. P. Pouteil   Hubert Berchtold
20 February   GS   Sergio Filippo   N. P. Pouteil   Jean Louis Ambroise
9th2 1970 22 January   SL   Peter Frei   Hans Bjorge     Dumeng Giovanoli
FIS World Cup
9th1 1970 21 January   GS     Dumeng Giovanoli   Patrick Russel   Georges Mauduit
8th 1969 17 February   SL     Edmund Bruggmann   Alain Penz   Herbert Huber
16 February   GS   Reinhard Tritscher   Alfred Matt   Franz Digruber
7th2 1968 10 March   SL   Patrick Russel   Franz Digruber   Stefan Kälin
FIS International
7th1 1968 9 March   GS   Stefan Kälin   Stefan Sodat   Enrico Demetz
↓ FIS 1A International ↓
6th 1967 12 March   SL   Alain Blanchard   Andrzej Bachleda   Patrick Russel
11 March   GS   Eberhard Riedel   Ernst Scherzer   Harald Stüfer
5th 1966 20 February   SL   Guy Périllat   Karl Schranz   Ludwig Leitner
19 February   GS   Werner Bleiner   Guy Périllat   Karl Schranz
4th 1965 28 February   SL   Michel Arpin   Franz Digruber   E. Maudit
27 February   GS   Edmund Bruggmann   Felice De Nicolo   Michel Arpin
3rd 1964 1 March   SL   Michel Arpin   Franz Digruber   Ernst Scherzer
29 February   GS   Jean-Claude Killy   Willy Favre   Beat von Allmen
2nd 1963 3 March   SL   Josef Stiegler   Jean-Claude Killy   Hias Leitner
2 March   GS   Georges Mauduit   Robert Grunenfelder   Jean-Claude Killy
1st 1961 5 March   SL   Ernst Falch   Josef Stiegler   Helmut Schranz
4 March   GS   Josef Stiegler   Joseph Behr   Helmut Gartner

Women

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At the start of the season, women for the first and only time in the history of this competition, raced for the "Vitranc Cup".[15]

Edition Year Date Event Winner Second Third
FIS World Cup
23rd 1983 1 December   SL   Erika Hess   Tamara McKinney   Małgorzata Tlałka

Substitute events

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

Multiple winners

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With at least two wins or more.

Total Skier SL GS
6   Marcel Hirscher 2 4
5   Ted Ligety 0 5
  Alberto Tomba 3 2
4   Benjamin Raich 4 0
  Henrik Kristoffersen 1 3
  Bojan Križaj 3 1
3   Marc Girardelli 2 1
2   Josef Stiegler 1 1
  Michel Arpin 2 0
  Francisco Fernández Ochoa 1 1
  Ingemar Stenmark 1 1
  Thomas Sykora 2 0
  Bode Miller 0 2
  Giorgio Rocca 2 0
  Mario Matt 2 0
  Ivica Kostelić 2 0
  Joël Gaspoz 0 2

Club5+

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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.[23]

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.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Vitranc memories" (in Slovenian). Delo. 23 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Official results from first ever Vitranc Cup event (GS 1961)" (PDF) (in Slovenian). pokal-vitranc.com. 4 March 1961.
  3. ^ "Prvi zmagovalec avtrijec Stiegler (page 15)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 5 March 1961.
  4. ^ "Fotografski utrinki iz veleslaloma (page 11)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 5 March 1961.
  5. ^ "Od morilskega smuka do poligona" (in Slovenian). Dnevnik. 23 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Slalom Russelu" (in Slovenian). Delo. 11 March 1968.
  7. ^ "V finišu svetovnega pokala Križaj zmagal na Vitrancu" (in Slovenian). Delo. 11 March 1968.
  8. ^ "V panju Vitranca se je tudi Stenmark počutil kot Slovenec" (in Slovenian). MMC RTV Slovenija. 2 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Osemnajsti svetovni pokal začenjajo danes tekmovalke (page 6)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 1 December 1983.
  10. ^ "Erika Hess nenadkriljiva v strmini.... (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 2 December 1983.
  11. ^ "Ponovil se je nesrečni januar 1983... (page 5)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 3 December 1983.
  12. ^ "Nepozaben smučarski praznik v Kranjski Gori (stran 1)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 23 December 1985.
  13. ^ "Petrovič junak tudi v domači Kranjski Gori(stran 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 23 December 1985.
  14. ^ "Naša nepozabna slalomska dneva (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 22 December 1986.
  15. ^ "Smer: Kranjska Gora (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 28 November 1986.
  16. ^ "Žan Kranjec v finale s 16. časom, vodi Francoz Pinturault" (in Slovenian). ekipa.svet24.si. 4 March 2016.
  17. ^ "Ted Ligety je zmagal v Kranjski Gori, Slovenci so razočarali" (in Slovenian). Dnevnik. 29 January 2010.
  18. ^ "Za 41. Pokal Vitranc vse pripravljeno (page 12)" (in Slovenian). Gorenjski glas. 18 December 2001.
  19. ^ "Kranjskogorčani željni dokazovanja (page 6)" (in Slovenian). Gorenjski glas. 7 March 2000.
  20. ^ "Rada imava slovenski sneg (page 23)" (in Slovenian). Gorenjski glas. 10 March 2000.
  21. ^ "Sobotna tekma je bila povsem naša, z Madonno pa jo je povezal zmagovalec" (in Slovenian). Delo. 8 January 1990.
  22. ^ "Bela karavana se je sešla, kjer se je decembra razšla (page 6)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 3 January 1986.
  23. ^ "Srečko Medven predsednik elitnega združenje (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Naše novice. June 2010.
  24. ^ "Club5+ workshop in Adelboden". saslong.org. 23 October 2021.
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