Thousands of visitors are expected in Kranjska Gora for what will be the first giant slalom and slalom races since the World Championships.

Both championship crowns have been claimed by Austria's Marcel Hirscher, who was also a double winner in Kranjska Gora last year and will be challenged by all the remaining medal winners from St. Moritz.

The only real Slovenian hope for a podium result in front of the home crowd is giant slalomist Žan Kranjec, who already has two fourth-place finishes this season.

"I know I can ski very well and get a very good result, but my reach will also depend on the competition. I'll definitely be content if I do what I can," the 24-year-old told the press before Saturday's race that gets under way at 9:30 AM.

Some have also been pointing to the reigning alpine combined junior World Champion Štefan Hadalin as a potential candidate for a Slovenian surprise in the slalom race.

The 21-year-old finished tenth at the recent World Championships after recording the fastest time of the second run.

The Slovenian skiers are hoping to profit from the three days of training they got on the Podkoren course, although the slope was shared with the Italians, Austrians and Russians.

The course is said to be in excellent condition and organisers are also not concerned over the chance of some afternoon rain.