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Recent FIS News
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Fifty Years of Vitranc Cup Action in Kranjska Gora
This year's Vitranc Cup, an annual Audi FIS Ski World Cup event for the men, was something really special: a celebration of half a century of FIS ski competition in Kranjska Gora. Over the years, and through the experience and knowledge of its organizers, the Vitranc Cup has advanced and matured in tandem with the development of Alpine Skiing as a whole. Today, it is one of the biggest, best organized and most visited sporting events in Slovenia and Central Europe as a whole; it exists thanks to the excellent work of the Organizing Committee together with the industry and the voluntary endeavors of the people of Kranjska Gora and the surrounding villages.
As is appropriate for such a jubilee, the organization began much earlier than usual, in order to arrange a variety of ancillary activities and events, including a golf tournament in September 2010 which was attended by 62 competitors among whom were erstwhile members of ski teams. A new book entitled "Vitranc Cup is Celebrating ..." describes the development of the competition from its inception and the move to a new course, through the challenges and problems faced by Kranjska Gora's organizers, to a review of the annual races and all winners and losers, including the crowning achievements of Slovenia's best ever skiers; it also includes anecdotes and impressions, as well as the comments expressed by competitors after the races. A Vitranc Cup memorial exhibition was also inaugurated in conjunction with the publication, and the display will continue until the end of this year.
The 50th anniversary events committee also proposed the creation of a charity event for disadvantaged children to accompany the jubilee celebrations, and in February 2001, more than fifty socially underprivileged kids from all over Slovenia had the opportunity to enjoy some winter sport and go alpine skiing. In addition, children from elementary schools in Kranjska Gora and Mojstrana created paintings and products to mark half a century of the Vitranc Cup, and these were exhibited in the press center during the competition.
Fifty years of the Vitranc Cup was also presented and celebrated at the White Dinner, which hosted former winners of the Vitranc Cup and all those who have co-created this event. Special guest was the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk, whilst FIS Vice President Janez Kocijančič and the Ski Association of Slovenia (SAS) Director Matija Vojsk greeted the guests on behalf of FIS and SAS. SAS and the Vitranc Cup Committee also presented special awards to those who were primarily responsible for this event that has been an important fixture on the FIS calendar for so many years. There was, of course, also no shortage of good music and culinary delights.
For those in need of yet more entertainment, there was yet another party following Saturday evening's slalom race bib draw as renowned Slovene and foreign musicians warmed their audience until the small hours at the XL Winter Party event.
The 50th Vitranc Cup took place across two days in front of some 15,000 spectators, and the excellently prepared race course provided an enthralling fight for the podium. Thanks belong to the organizers and volunteers who ceaselessly worked to create a great atmosphere and fine competition. Among those in attendance were several past winners of the Vitranc Cup, prominent members of the Club 5+, Slovenia's President as well as some well known politicians, businessmen and other public figures. The crowning glory this year was the beautiful weather, which warmed the local spectators, as did a 6th place finish for Slovenia's own Mitja Valenčič.
As befits such an occasion, the 50th Vitranc Cup ended with yet another party, which was prepared for all those most responsible for the professional organization of the Vitranc Cup. After a deal of hard work and a successful competition, everyone relaxed and had fun with good food a plenty and a program of entertainment which again continued into the early morning hours.
Contributed by Srečko Medven