World elite and Olympic gold medalist at Kranj competition...

The Kranj venue will host the World Cup competition for the 25th time this year. In the Zlato polje hall, on September 3 and 4, it will be possible to see the best elite of world climbing live. The best of the best, Olympic gold medalist Janja Garnbret, will not be missing.
The 2021 World Cup competition in sport climbing, organized by the Alpine Association of Slovenia under the auspices of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), will return to the Zlato polje hall in Kranj after a year's break. Kranj has the longest tradition among organizers of World Cup competitions in sport climbing and is also one of the most popular venues.

The first World Cup competition in lead climbing was organized in 1996 on the new climbing wall in the sports hall at Zlato polje. It was attended by 152 climbers from 24 countries. A special feature of the Kranj competition is also the live broadcast of the finals on national television for several years, which is an exception or real rarity on a global scale.

Another rarity or special feature is that for 25 years the competition director has been top alpinist, sport climber, former coach and PZS expert collaborator Tomo Česen. "Over all these years, there have really been quite a few moments when my heart was beating stronger. Because of the triumphs, of course. I still vividly remember Martina Čufar's first victory. The hall was bursting at the seams and cheering for Martina. We haven't repeated that atmosphere later. I hope that this year with the excellent Janja Garnbret, despite all the corona restrictions, we will bring a triumphant atmosphere. I know that the other girls and boys are also capable of reaching for medals, and that's why I'm especially looking forward to the Kranj competition."

True, Janja Garnbret is the best of the best, but among Slovenian sport climbers there are still many who can compete with the world competition. They have proven this with regular qualifications for World Cup finals. In addition to Janja, Lučka Rakovec, who took third place on this wall in 2019, Olympian Mia Krampl, currently third on the IFSC lead ranking Vita Lukan, Tjaša Slemenšek, Lucija Tarkuš, Lana Skušek, Katja Debevec, Sara Čopar and Liza Novak will also be in Kranj.
Among the men, this year's excellent Luka Potočar, Domen Škofic, Martin Bergant, Milan Preskar, Anže Peharc, Žiga Zajc, Andrej Polak, Timotej Romšak and Lovro Črep will compete on the Kranj wall.


Tickets

Tickets for the Kranj competition will be available at Eventim sales points throughout Slovenia and on their website, in the online Mountaineering Shop and at the Alpine Association of Slovenia headquarters from August 19 onwards.
Viewing of Saturday's qualifications is free. The admission fee for Saturday's semifinals and finals is uniform at 20 euros or 15 euros for PZS members. Children up to and including 8 years have free admission.
Discount for Alpine Association of Slovenia members applies when purchasing at PZS headquarters, in the online Mountaineering Shop and on Eventim online sales. Member discount applies upon presentation of the membership card or in online stores by entering the membership card number (on the Eventim page, enter it in the promotional code box for discount). Claiming member discount is not possible at other Eventim sales points!
The competition website will have more detailed information and all results after the qualifications, semifinals and finals, as well as photos. We will also post them promptly on the PZS website and PZS Facebook page.


The final competition will be broadcast live on TV Slovenija's second channel. Media sponsor of SP Kranj 2021 is Val 202. General sponsor of SP Kranj 2021 is Prva osebna zavarovalnica, co-organizer of the event is Mestna občina Kranj.

At this point, we inform all interested media to reserve August 31 for the press conference, where you will learn more about the Kranj competition, competitors and accompanying program. Journalists and photographers reporting on SP Kranj 2021 are asked to accredit in time via the IFSC online form.
The successes of Slovenian sport climbers are the result of planned and persistent work of teams, coaches and climbers, their passionate dedication and effort, so they deserve our strong live support on home soil.

Gold medals for Slovenia in Kranj

In strong competition, excellent results in the history of SP competitions in Kranj have also been achieved by Slovenian climbers. The first gold medal for the Slovenian team was won by Martina Čufar in the women's category in 2001. Later, gold medals were also won by Maja Štremfelj, Mina Markovič and Janja Garnbret.

In the men's category, Klemen Bečan achieved a historic result in 2008 and brought Slovenia its first and so far only victory at the Kranj venue.