FIS was saddened to learn about the passing of Janez Gorišek.
Janez took up ski jumping when he was eight years old. He became addicted by ski jumping and it left a mark on him for the rest of his life. He was a national representative for many years, twice even the student world champion. It is no coincidence that Planica was the venue where he achieved his personal record, when he landed at 105 metres. When he concluded his sports career, he dedicated himself heart and soul to designing ski jumping and ski flying hills, not only at home but all over the world. In cooperation with his brother Vlado, he designed one of the most beautiful and famous ski flying hill in the world. The Gorišek Brothers Flying Hill, which is set in the cradle of this sports discipline in Planica.
The ski jumping hills he designed are located all over the world: in Norway, Italy, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, the USA, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Switzerland and, of course, in Slovenia. The Gorišek Brothers Flying Hill has made Planica and Slovenia world famous.
Janez established a new skiing discipline – ski flying, which was recognized by the International Ski Federation FIS in 1971.
Janez Gorišek was granted many decorations, the Award of the Slovenian Chamber of Engineers for Lifetime Achievements, the Certificate of Honour by the Slovenian Olympic Committee and many others.
Throughout his active years, Janez Gorišek has left a mark on the activities of the Ski Association of Slovenia and OC Planica. Without him and his bold ideas, the development of ski jumping and ski flying would be quite different.
FIS would like to express its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Janez Gorišek , whose dedicated work will be long remembered.
