Žan Kranjec Signs To Nordica

Nordica has officially signaled its return to the forefront of men’s technical alpine skiing with the high-profile signing of Slovenian star Žan Kranjec. The Olympic silver medalist has inked a deal to join the "Dobermann" squad for the 2026-2028 seasons, ending a long-term partnership with his previous equipment supplier.

He was previously sponsored by Rossignol. In a statement he said " After 19 years together, it’s time to turn the page. Everything I’ve achieved so far in my career has been on Rossignol skis — World Cup wins, podiums and an Olympic silver medal.Grateful for everything we achieved together along the way. Thank you for the support and trust."

Kranjec, a powerhouse in the Giant Slalom (GS) discipline, brings an impressive pedigree to the Italian brand. A member of the "Class of ’92," his career highlights include a silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and 13 World Cup podiums.

The transfer was finalized following a rigorous four-day testing block in Val di Fassa. Sources close to the team report that Kranjec found an "immediate great feeling" with Nordica’s skis and boots, a factor that proved decisive in his choice to switch ahead of the upcoming Olympic cycle.

Racing Manager Jörg Ruedl noted that the move was several years in the making: “There was a mutual interest and a dialogue after the Olympics, but the definitive decision came in the past weeks. In addition to quality materials, we can make a difference with always prompt and effective assistance.”

Nordica’s strategy to bring Kranjec back to the top of the podium involves more than just hardware. To ensure a seamless transition, the athlete will be joined by professional tech Marko Sumer.

The new technical partnership is set to begin in earnest during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Kranjec and Sumer are scheduled to head to Ushuaia, Argentina, for upcoming training sessions, where they will begin the fine-tuning process required to hunt for Crystal Globes.

For Nordica, the acquisition of Kranjec is a statement of intent. By securing one of the most consistent Giant Slalom skiers of the last decade, the brand aims to reclaim its status as a dominant force in the technical disciplines. With the 2028 season on the horizon, both athlete and brand appear to be banking on this "perfect fit" to translate into World Cup gold.

Kranjec made his World Cup debut at age 18 in March 2011 at Kranjska Gora. He represented Slovenia at the World Championships in 2013 and was 22nd in giant slalom. A week later at the Junior World Championships in Canada, he won a bronze medal in giant slalom.

At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kranjec placed fourth in the giant slalom. In December 2018, he gained his first World Cup win in Saalbach, Austria. Through December 2023, Kranjec has two World Cup wins and thirteen podiums.

At the 2022 Winter Olympics, Kranjec was eighth after the first run of the giant slalom, then was the fastest in the second run to win the silver medal, runner-up to Marco Odermatt.