Winter Olympic Games

Kranjska Gora/Maribor – Despite the restrictions related to the Covid-19 epidemic, skiing season is starting in Kranjska Gora, Pohorje above Maribor and at Krvavec, but only for locals. The accompanying activities are prohibited, though, so the question is whether ski lifts will operate for long if restrictions are not lifted.

Bormio – Slovenian Alpine skier Žan Kranjec finished second in a World Cup giant slalom race in Italy’s Santa Caterina after clocking in the best time in the first run. The race was won by Croatia’s Filip Zubčić.

Although 69 hundredths ahead of Zubčić after the first run, Kranjec’s second-run pefrormance was not strong enough to secure him his third World Cup win.

The organisers of the Vitranc Cup in Kranjska Gora said the event was cancelled based on recommendations from the International Ski Federation (FIS) and in consultations with the National Public Health Institute.

Adding to the team success was Peter Prevc (253.6), who finished fifth after winning Monday's event on the same hill.

Prevc (132/125.5 metre) was followed by German Markus Eisenbichler (138/120.5 m) in second place and German Stephan Lehye (130/133 m) in third.

Among other Slovenians, Anže Lanišek finished 11th, Žiga Jelar 20th and Timi Zajc 22nd.

"This is actually quite powerful. I'm aware of this now," Maze told the STA on the sidelines of the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she has been cheering young athletes.

Winter has come and winter sports lovers are eagerly awaiting the opening of the ski season, BNT reported.

The official opening of the ski season in Bansko will take place today, December 14.

Austrian ski legend Mario Matt will be there for the kick off of the new season.

With fine long jumps Jakub Wolny, Kamil Stoch, Dawid Kubacki and Piotr Žyla secured an unassailable lead already in the first series.

They scored a total of 1627.9 points, 8.1 points more than Germany and 24.8 points more than Slovenia's Anže Semenič, Peter Prevc, Domen Prevc and Timi Zajc in third.

What is the fifth World Cup victory in the career of the 19-year-old comes after the youngster already led Slovenia to first place in the team event in Vikersund on Saturday.

The Slovenian sky flying hill at Planica will host the World Cup finals next week.

French Alexis Pintarault was first and Swiss Marco Odermatt was in second place (+0.44s). Kranjec crossed the finish line 1.03 second slower than Pintarault.

He was close to the top of the overall giant slalom standings throughout the season, arriving in Andorra as number six.