Following Wednesday's practice and Thursday's qualifying jumps, the first individual event will take place on Friday afternoon. The team ski-flying event will follow on Saturday and the top 30 jumpers will compete in the finals on Sunday.

The head of competition, Jelko Gros, expects that the best jumpers will fly up to 230 metres, but longer distances will be possible once the giant hill is reconstructed later this year.

The organisers, who expect some 60,000 visitors, are putting the "sport spirit" in the focus of the event, featuring a no-alcohol campaign and special trains to get people to use public transportation and walk to the event.

Another new focus this year is sustainable development, as the organisers are trying to leave the environment clean after the event.

The budget for this year's competition in Planica stands at EUR 1.8m, of which EUR 1m is covered through sponsors and the rest from tickets and broadcasting rights.