The FIS Ski Jumping World Cup for women in Ljubno ob Savinji approaches
Ljubljana, 9 February 2012 – Slovenian ski jumpers are ready to demonstrate their “devilishness” in front of their home audience. Ski jumpers are in excellent shape and ready to face the challenge at Ljubno. Judging by the results they have been bringing in abroad, we can expect a lively competition, with our ski jumpers at the top.

With its success, its boldness and »devilishness«, the Slovenian women ski jumping team has proved that ski jumping is no longer the domain of men alone. They have brought a fresh breeze to the sport and their results show that they are a force to be reckoned with. After the last competition in Hinzenbach, Austria, Katja Požun places 4th in the overall rankings, Maja Vtič 11th, Špela Rogelj 19th, and Urša Bogataj 29th. Ski jumpers will fly again on Saturday and Sunday in Ljubno in the Upper Savinja valley, both times at 1:45pm, finally presenting themselves to their home audience, numerous fans and Slovenian winter sport legends alike.

At today’s press conference, which is held right before the Ljubno competition, members of the Slovenian national team will present themselves. They will share with all those present their feelings about the competition and their readiness to jump on their own turf. All the details concerning the happenings at Ljubno will be presented by the president of the BTC Management Board as well as the president of the honorary board Ljubno Mr Jože Mermal, and the president of OK Ljubno Mr Rajko Pintar.

The press conference assures the »devilish« ski jumpers that they are not alone, that Slovenia supports them and can hardly wait to see them perform at home.

Ljubno – living and breathing with ski jumping

Ljubno, a village in the Upper Savinja valley, has been living and breathing with ski jumping for more than eighty years. The first ski jumps there took place already before WWII, when Jaka Vodušek took his military skis and conducted some experiments, which today may be considered ski jumping. Since 1947, when Ljubno signed a contract to build a 60-metre ski-ramp with the famous Planica constructor Stanko Bloudek, the devices have been constantly rebuilt and perfected. Until this day, when Ski Jumping Club Ljubno BTC (Skakalni Smučarski Klub Ljubno BTC) has a representative, Primož Pikl, in men’s FIS World Cup, much has changed in Ljubno. Since the times of the 60-metre ski-jump, Ljubno has created some of the best conditions for training and competitions in ski-jumping in Slovenia. The biggest ramp, which enables jumps of over 100 meters, is built according to FIS standards, so it is not surprising that in February 2012, some of the best women ski jumpers in the world will compete there.

Additional information:

Maja Oven, Director of the Market Communication and Public Relations Sector

• T: +386(0)1/585 13 15
• E: maja.oven@btc.si

Irena Pavčič, PR director, Publicis d.o.o.

• T: +386 1/ 23 43 531
• E: