Planica – Ski Jumping World Cup Final

From Kranjska Gora to Planica it's only a short hop. When buying the ticket at the tourist office the day before they told us that it is also valid for the shuttle service. So we left the motorhome at the parking area in Kranjska Gora.

At Planica the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Final took place this weekend. Planica is an alpine valley with the ski flying hill 'Letalnica Bratov Gorišek' which is the largest jumping hill in the world, also called 'the mother of all jumping hills'.

On saturday 26,000 visitors where there for the team competition. It was cold in the morning but started to get warmer when the sun arose. Every time a competitor jumps over 215 meters the song 'Planica' from the band Avsenik is played. (Click here to have an impression.)

Although the Austrians did not win (only fourth place) it was a great ambience. There were 'après' parties at the jumping hill area as well as at Kranjska Gora afterwards. There were also a lot of Austrian fans (as the border is that close).

On sunday the last ski-jumping of the season took place. We also saw the farthest jump of the weekend – 233 meters by Simon Ammann from Switzerland (but he touched the snow). Again no place at the winners' rostrum for an Austrian jumper. But the 'Ski Jumping World Cup' trophy for Gregor Schlierenzauer from Austria as well as the trophy for the best team to Austria.

It was a great weekend at Slovenia!