Podkoren 3
Podkoren 3 is a black World Cup technical ski course on Vitranc mountain in Podkoren, Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, opened in 1983. It was constructed by Peter Lakota, a successful Slovenian skier.
| Podkoren 3 | |
|---|---|
| Place: | Kranjska Gora |
| Mountain: | Vitranc |
| Architect: | Peter Lakota (SLO) |
| Member: | Club5+ |
| Opened: | 1 December 1993 (L) 2 December 1983 (M) |
| Level: | advanced |
| Competition: | Vitranc Cup |
| Giant slalom | |
| Start: | 1,278 m (4,193 ft) (AA) |
| Finish: | 836 m (2,743 ft) |
| Vertical drop: | 442 m (1,450 ft) |
| Max. incline: | 30.5 degrees (59%) |
| Min. incline: | 10.2 degrees (18%) |
| Most wins (M): | Ted Ligety (6) |
| Most wins (W): | Marta Bassino (2) |
| Slalom | |
| Start: | 1,035 m (3,396 ft) (AA) |
| Finish: | 836 m (2,743 ft) |
| Vertical drop: | 199 m (653 ft) |
| Max. incline: | 25.2 degrees (47%) |
| Min. incline: | 11.9 degrees (21%) |
| Most wins (M): | Alberto Tomba (3) |
It has been hosting slalom and giant slalom for Vitranc Cup (Pokal Vitranc) since then.[1] It replaced previous slopes; Bukovniški smuk (1961–70) and old gas station slope (1971–83).
With 59% incline at start of giant slalom, it is the ski slope with the steepest part in Slovenia. It is located close to Planica and Rateče (near the Italian and Austrian borders).
This slope is considered one of top three hardest giant slaloms in the world, together with Alta Badia (ITA) and Adelboden (SUI).
The slope is part of "Podkoren I" section, one of four, right in the middle of Kranjska Gora Ski Resort.[2][3]
History
On December 1983, this course was officially opened with women's and men's slalom (20,000 people), replacing the old previous course above the nearby gas station. [4][5]
In 1985, total of 40,000 people has gathered in two days. 30,000 alone at slalom where Rok Petrovič won in front home crowd, one of the most iconic and most visited and events in Kranjska Gora.[6]
In 1986, total of 20,000 people have seen another home win for the second year in a row, with Bojan Križaj and Rok Petrovič being first and second in SL. They were at the peak of their fame and absolute national heroes, icons, with alpine skiing, especially slalom as the far most popular sport in the country in the eighties. Swiss Joël Gaspoz won the giant slalom a day before for the third year in Kranjska Gora a row.[7][8]
World Cup
| Alberto Tomba | Ted Ligety |
|---|---|
| won record 3 slaloms | won record 6 giant slaloms |
Men
Vitranc Cup held since 2 December 1983 on this course which hosted total of 77 World Cup events for men (6th of all-time).
Women
On 1 December 1983, official opening with first ever event on this course held and the only "Vitranc Cup" event in women's history.[9]
The 60th edition (2024) of Golden Fox will be first time originally scheduled (and not replaced as usual) in Kranjska Gora.
Club5+
In 1986, elite Club5 was originally founded by prestigious classic downhill organizers: Kitzbühel, Wengen, Garmisch, Val d’Isère and Val Gardena/Gröden, with goal to bring alpine ski sport on the highest levels possible.[10]
Later over the years other classic longterm organizers joined the now named Club5+: Alta Badia, Cortina, Kranjska Gora, Maribor, Lake Louise, Schladming, Adelboden, Kvitfjell, St.Moritz and Åre.[11]
References
- "Favoriti pred štartom le molčali (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 2 December 1983.
- "Podkoren 3 slope incline profile". pokal-vitranc.com. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- "Podkoren 3 on the Kranjska gora ski resort map (No. 14)". bergfex.si. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- "Favoriti pred štartom le molčali (page 1)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 2 December 1983.
- "Slab dan favoritov (page 1)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 3 December 1983.
- "Nepozaben smučarski praznik v Kranjski Gori (page 1)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 23 December 1985.
- "Naša nepozabna slalomska dneva (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 22 December 1986.
- "Joel Gaspoz in Kr. Gora zaobljubljena v zvestobi (page 5)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 20 December 1986.
- "Smer: Kranjska Gora (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Delo. 28 November 1986.
- "Srečko Medven predsednik elitnega združenje (page 9)" (in Slovenian). Naše novice. June 2010.
- "Club5+ workshop in Adelboden". saslong.org. 23 October 2021.