The finals of the Ski Jumping World Cup are returning to Planica in the last week of March. As is tradition, Thursday will be dedicated to the youngest fans. This year, they will support the world’s best ski jumpers virtually. On other days of the competitions, namely Friday, 26 March, Saturday, 27 March, and Sunday, 28 March, fans of all ages can take their spots and cheer in Zavarovalnica Triglav’s virtual stands. Virtual fan registration has already begun at triglav.si/planica.
As part of the Children of Triglav at Planica campaign, pupils will take over the virtual stands in Planica on the last Thursday of March. Up until now, children cheered on the world’s best ski jumpers in the qualification rounds, but this year they will support them in an individual event. Due to the current situation, young sport enthusiasts will join the stands virtually. With a diverse accompanying programme ranging from popular musical guests to speeches given by famous Slovene athletes, watching Slovenia’s most prominent sports spectacle will hopefully encourage young fans to a healthier and more active lifestyle.
A unique experience for fans of all ages
While for Thursday’s event the virtual stands are reserved for schoolchildren, ski jumping fans of all ages can cheer on the other three days. According to Cene Prevc, the support of the fans, even if only virtual, plays an important part in the challenging competitions: “I’m genuinely excited about ski flying in Planica, and I’m eagerly counting down the days until the next competition at home. But I have to admit, Planica without the fans wouldn’t be a Slovene sports spectacle for me; it would be just another World Cup competition. So I’m very happy that Zavarovalnica Triglav’s virtual stands will help create the unique atmosphere that makes Planica special. The support of my fans means a lot to me. When I see how many people support me, or look up to me, I know that I’m on the right path in my life. Usually, when competitions in Planica are over, ski jumpers are highly motivated, and it makes it easier to return after the break and start a new season.”
Starting today, loyal fans can register to help create the unique Planica atmosphere at triglav.si/planica. Registration for each competitive event will be open until 16:00 CET on the preceding day (so to participate on Friday, for example, a fan should register by 16:00 CET on Thursday). Upon successfully registering, fans will receive a link to the online meeting app, which they can then use to share their virtual fan experience in real time. Information on how to participate is available at the registration page.
A story 50 years in the making
The virtual participation of fans in Planica this year is part of a long story about the cooperation between Slovenia’s largest insurer and the organisers of the most prominent Slovene sports spectacle. “Zavarovalnica Triglav has been loyal to ski jumping in Planica for more than 50 years. Since 1979, we’ve taken more than 100,000 children to Planica and helped them experience an unforgettable day in pristine nature and in the company of the world’s best ski jumpers,” said Tjaša Kolenc Filipčič, marketing communications director at Zavarovalnica Triglav. “We are proud that we made it possible for ski jumping fans to participate in Slovenia’s most prominent sports spectacle last December. This incentive to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle continued with Pokljuka’s biathlon races in February and Rogla’s snowboarding competitions in March. Fans of all ages can still experience the unique atmosphere in the company of their favourite sports heroes even when being there in person is not possible. So I’m once again inviting fans of all ages to get their spot in the virtual stands in Planica, and cheer on their favourite ski jumpers.”
