Žiga Jelar

Žiga Jelar was born on October 22, 1997, in Kranj, Slovenia. He began his professional ski jumping career in the mid-2010s, quickly establishing himself as a formidable competitor. His early career saw him competing in various Continental Cup and FIS Cup events, gaining experience and refining his technique. Jelar officially entered the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup circuit during the 2015–16 season. While he did not score points in his initial World Cup appearances, he continued to develop, making significant strides in subsequent seasons. Jelar’s dedication to the sport led to his consistent participation in World Cup events, with numerous appearances and qualifications, demonstrating steady progress in his rankings over the years. His career has been characterized by active participation in international competitions, highlighting his commitment to ski jumping.

A significant milestone in Jelar’s career came during the 2021–22 season when he secured his first individual World Cup win on March 25, 2022, in Planica, Slovenia, at the Letalnica bratov Gorišek HS240. This victory underscored his capability to compete and succeed at the highest level of the sport. In the same season, he also achieved a 1st place in the Ski Flying World Cup standings. Further cementing his place among the elite, Jelar earned a gold medal at the 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica as part of the men’s team large hill event. His career progression has shown remarkable consistency, appearing in over 100 individual World Cup starts and securing four individual podium finishes. He has maintained a strong presence in the World Cup standings, with notable overall finishes such as 17th in the 2022–23 season, 20th in 2021–22, and 28th in 2019–20.