Letalnica Bratov Gorišek in Planica stands as the definitive contribution of Janez Gorišek to civil engineering. Developed alongside his brother Lado, this massive ski flying hill regained its status as the largest of its kind in the world in 2015, following a renovation project that saw Gorišek work directly with his son on the technical profile.
Early life and athletic background
Born in Ljubljana in 1933, Janez Gorišek cultivated a professional foundation at the University of Ljubljana. His interest in the mechanics of ski jumping extended beyond academic study into personal participation, as he competed as a ski jumper in the 1956 Winter Olympics. This transition from participant to designer allowed him to apply practical experience to the structural demands of the sport.
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Gorišek maintained a career that combined architecture with civil engineering. His professional portfolio centered on the construction of specialized facilities for ski flying and jumping. His technical expertise was recognized through the Bloudek award. Throughout his career, he operated within the contexts of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and independent Slovenia, navigating the regional shifts while focusing on his specific field of structural design.
Global infrastructure projects
Beyond his work in Planica, Gorišek contributed to major international ski venues. His projects included the enlargement and renovation of the Kulm site in Bad Mitterndorf, Austria, and the Heini-Klopfer-Shanze in Oberstdorf, Germany. He oversaw the Igman Olympic Ski Jumping Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the mid-1980s, the Große Olympiaschanze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and facilities in Erzurum, Turkey. In 2011, he finalized a renovation of the Vikersundbakken in Norway, reinforcing his influence on the global landscape of ski jumping infrastructure.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, Ljubljana
- Died: 21 March 2023
- Education: University of Ljubljana
- Primary field: Civil engineering and architecture
- Notable work: Letalnica Bratov Gorišek
- Olympic participation: 1956 Winter Olympics
- Award: Bloudek award
Questions readers ask
What was the brotherly collaboration in Planica?
Janez Gorišek developed the Letalnica Bratov Gorišek ski flying hill in Planica in collaboration with his brother, Lado Gorišek.
Where did Gorišek complete professional projects?
His work spanned Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, and Norway.
Achievements
- Notable work: Letalnica Bratov Gorišek
- Educated at University of Ljubljana
- Worked as ski jumper, architect and civil engineer
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