World Championships in Competitive Ski Mountaineering 2013

On Saturday, February 9, the World Championships in Competitive Ski Mountaineering begin in the French town of Pelvoux under the auspices of ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation), lasting until February 15, 2013. Our national team members will also compete in the World Championship races, including a new member of the team.



The venue for this year's World Championships in Competitive Ski Mountaineering is France and Pelvoux (as well as Puy Saint Vincent and Vallouise). Ski mountaineers and teams from France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Great Britain, Slovakia, Canada, United States of America, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Andorra, Greece, Belgium, Russia, Germany ... will compete in the World Championship races.



The Slovenian Mountaineering Association and Slovenia will be represented by the following national team members:

• Nejc Kuhar (from Preddvor, member of PD Jezersko),

• Klemen Triler (from Polica near Naklo, member of TSK Olimpik),

• Matjaž Mikloša (from Kokrica near Kranj, member of TSK Olimpik),

• Luka Mihelič (from Naklo, member of TSK Olimpik),

• Anže Šenk (from Zgornje Jezersko, member of TTSO PD Jezersko),

• and the new team member Špela Zupan (from Ljubljana, member of KGT Papež Kamnik).

and Iztok Cukjati as selector, coach, and team leader.



Schedule of races and appearances of Slovenian competitors:

• Sunday, February 10 – team race, competing: Anže Šenk + Klemen Triler,

• Monday, February 11 – sprints: Nejc Kuhar, Klemen Triler, Matjaž Mikloša, Luka Mihelič, Anže Šenk, Špela Zupan.

• Wednesday, February 13 – individual (Individual): Nejc Kuhar, Klemen Triler, Matjaž Mikloša, Luka Mihelič, Anže Šenk, Špela Zupan.

• Thursday, February 14 – vertical (Vertical Race): Nejc Kuhar, Klemen Triler, Matjaž Mikloša, Luka Mihelič, Anže Šenk, Špela Zupan.

• Friday, February 15 – relay: 4 competitors in the team.



What are this year's expectations? Coach Iztok Cukjati says: "The World Championships are a real challenge and motivation for all competitors. Nejc is certainly the one who can reach the highest right now, but the results will also depend on proper timing of form, snow conditions, and tactics. The world top has become extremely dense in recent years, so predicting individual placements is practically impossible. I am convinced that all competitors will give their maximum, and we will see what that means in results. Given the leap in preparedness of the best national teams (Italy, Switzerland, and France) and the fact that each has the right to 8 competitors, any placement in the top 15 or even top ten will be an excellent result. Let's be surprised!"



We also asked Nejc Kuhar, the best Slovenian ski mountaineering competitor: "My preparedness is optimal, but we will see what that brings in results. At the first World Cup race (Valle Aurina), we saw that the level has risen incredibly, so any placement in the top 10 will be a great success. My main goal is the vertical race, and I will also compete in the sprint and relays. I regret the classic race, which is scheduled just one day before the vertical race, so I will have to skip it."



The new member of the Slovenian national team in competitive ski mountaineering, Špela Zupan, about her goals at her first World Championships: "Realistically speaking, I can't have high expectations, but my goal is to perform a few percent better than I did at the World Cup in Valle Aurina. In addition to the vertical and individual, I will also participate in the sprints, which will be my first appearance in this discipline, so I can hardly wait. I will definitely squeeze everything out of myself in all three races."

The team expects the most from Nejc Kuhar, who started this season in full preparedness and achieved excellent results:

- Nejc Kuhar national champion also individually – 16th memorial of Luka Karničar and Rado Markič

- Nejc Kuhar also at the Italian national championship in classic

- Nejc Kuhar winner of the open Austrian national championship

- World Cup Valle Aurina 2012 – Nejc Kuhar satisfied

- at the first race of the season/Monte Agnello Trophy 3rd place,

- at the first classic race of the season – Misurina Ski Raid 2012 6th place,

- at the Bergfex Sprinter race 2nd place,

- and on December 29, 2012, also became national champion in vertical.