Prevc expects ‘phenomenal fans’ at Ljubno home World Cup

World champion Nika Prevc (SLO) will look to maintain her stunning streak of successes in her homeland with the Crystal Globe leader aiming to claim successive victories four and five in Ljubno.

Prevc, who went to the top of the 2025/26 overall World Cup standings ahead of rival Nozomi Maruyama (JPN), following back-to-back successes in Villach (AUT) last weekend, also won each of the contests in Ljubno last season.

She also delighted spectators with the first World Cup title of her career in her native Slovenia in the 2023/24 campaign and is aiming to give them further reason to celebrate.

“I know there will be a lot of them (fans and supporters) as always, so I expect a nice winter atmosphere,” states Prevc “I want to continue with the jumps, like they were at the end in Villach.”

Action from the Savina Ski Jumping Centre begins with qualification on Friday 9 January before two separate World Cup events over the weekend.

To date, Prevc (SLO) has won 29 individual World Cup events during her career and she could join Maren Lundby (NOR) who is second on the all-time women’s list, with 30, on Saturday.

Prevc’s team-mate Nika Vodan is currently the second-highest ranked Slovenian ski jumper in the women’s field, in 11^th, this season. While it is nearly two years since her last World Cup victory, she placed second in Wisla (POL) in December and is looking forward to returning to one her favourite venues.

“I know the ski jump well,” states Vodan. “I wasn't able to compete there last year, but I have fond memories of it from previous years.

“All 12 girls (in the Slovenian team) know the ski jump and I'm hoping to improve on my previous performances. I think I'm on the right track.”

Away from the host-nation athletes there are a host of in-form athletes who will be looking to maintain their recent strong performances as they near the end of their preparations for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which begin on 6 February.

Lisa Eder (AUT) is her nation’s sole female medal contender this season, following the retirement of Jacqueline Seifriedsberger and long-term injury to Eva Pinkelnig, but is revelling in the limelight.

The 24-year-old, who is enjoying the most successful season of her career, placed second twice in Villach (AUT) and would love to round-off recent successes with a maiden World Cup win.

Abigail Strate (CAN) did achieve that landmark honor in Oberstdorf (GER) on New Years Day, while Zeng Ping (CHN), who became her nation’s first-ever World Cup podium finisher at the same event, is expected to be another strong contender.

“The energy there (in Ljubno) is pretty unbeatable,” said Strate, who spends most of the year training in Slovenia. “Every year you show up there is always a giant crowd with all the Slovenians showing up with their flags and even though I’m a Canadian it’s like ‘yeah’ ski jumping is a Slovenian sport.”

2024/25 Crystal Globe runner-up Selina Freitag (GER) struggled at the start of the season, but three top-three results across the last four World Cups suggests she is now nearing peak condition once more. Team-mate Agnes Reisch (GER), attained her podium finish of the season last time out in Villach (AUT).

One major question for followers of the sport concerns 2025/26 breakthrough star Maruyama (JPN), who is on a run of three World Cup events without a podium finish, her worst form of the season, has placed eighth in each of those contests.

FIS SKI JUMPING WORLD CUP – LJUBNO (SLO) SCHEDULE
09.01.2026
12:00 – Start Qualification – QUA Women’s NH
10.01.2026
12:00 – Competition Start – Women’s NH
11.01.2026
10:45 – Start Qualification - QUA Women’s NH
12:00 – Competition Start – WC Women’s NH

All times listed in CET and are subject to change.