Kranjska Gora offers a challenging GS

Kranjska Gora finish area a day before the first race: Photo GEPA Images

Kransjska Gora will provide Mikaela Shiffrin her first opportunity to tie Lindsey Vonn’s career total World Cup victory record. Tomorrow’s GS race will also provide fans with another opportunity to witness amazing skiing by the world’s best women on a demanding slope.

After canceling the second women’s SL in Zagreb, the women traveled 140 miles to Kranjska Gora for two days of GS races.

Central Europe is a challenging place to host ski races this winter. However, the organizers continue to work hard to provide great racing. Every race is its own puzzle and Kranjska’s challenge is the slope and the flat light.

Kranjska Gora is the alternate home of the Maribor race

Uniquely, in Kranjska Gora, the Maribor Branik Ski Club organizes the women’s World Cups. It is their race, and for decades, they hosted the classic in Maribor. The finish area in Pohorje resort in Maribor is just 340 meters above sea level. Faced with decreased snowpack and a rise in temperatures, local organizers struggled for years to create course conditions suitable for World Cup races. After seasons of struggle, the organizers permanently moved the event 130 miles away to Kranjska Gora. 

Notably, however, Maribor is a classic venue that has hosted 68 women’s races since the World Cup started in 1967. Only Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val d’Isère, and Lake Louise have hosted more women’s events.

Notably, the Kranjska Gora race hill is challenging. It is a stern test of anyone’s skills. The race hill is known for its relentless pitches and flat light. Because of a lack of snow, most likely, the slope has extra micro terrain, making the visibility challenges even more difficult.

The more challenging the test, the more likely fans will witness significant time differences among the racers. Reports from those who inspected the race hill say the snow is hard, which means the speeds will be fast.

Five North Americans have scored GS points this season. 

The ten North Americans on the January 7th Kranjska Gora GS start list

• Bib 2, Mikaela Shiffrin, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 12, Valerie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 13, Paula Moltzan, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 30, Nina O’Brien, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 34, Britt Richardson, ACA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club, Dynastar, Lange, Look, Oakley, Swix
• Bib 54, Sarah Bennett, ACA, Stoneham, Québec Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK
• Bib 55, Katie Hensien, USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 57, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic
• Bib 58, Stella Johansson, Independent, Aspen Valley Ski, and Snowboard Club. Atomic
• Bib 59, Ava Sunshine, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic, Swix, ASP

The women’s first run starts at 3:30 am Eastern Time and 12:30 am on the West Coast. Additionally, the second run will begin at 6:30 am Eastern Time and 3:30 am on the West Coast. We remind you a full replay is available after the race.

In the USA, the women’s World Cups in Kranjska Gora will be available for viewing both live and as a replay on the streaming service Ski and Snowboard Live.

In Canada, World Cup can be viewed on CBC sports

First run Start list and race program for January 7th, Kranjska Gora women’s GS

Program for the January 7th Kranjska Gora women’s giant slalom