Dawid Kubacki Shines; Thomas Thurnbichler Says 'It Is Possible'

Ski Jumping in Willingen

Dawid Kubacki placed 14th and was the best among the Polish team during Saturday’s World Cup ski jumping competition in Willingen. In his first jump, Kubacki reached 139.5 m and was in eighth place. However, after a second jump of 127 m he lost six positions.

Coach Thomas Thurnbichler commented on Kubacki’s progress: "He is making progress day by day. He is in good form now, but he still needs to improve his flight position. Then he could fight for a top ten finish. It is possible."

Other Polish competitors also featured in the event. Paweł Wąsek, considered the best Polish jumper this season, did not find the Willingen hill to his liking, recording jumps of 130.5 m and 128 m to finish 19th. Jakub Wolny ended the contest in 26th place.

Piotr Żyła, who impressed in the first round with a 140 m jump to rank 14th, dropped to 28th in the second round after a jump of only 119.5 m. Żyła stated, "In the second round there was no rebound. I lost all my speed at the take-off. In the first round the conditions were good so I made the most of them, but the second jump was unsuccessful. This is not my time. Maybe later in the season, things will get better."

Commenting further on the conditions, Thurnbichler noted, "The weather conditions today did not allow much. Both Piotr Żyła and Kuba Wolny were unable to maintain a good flight position."

The coach also expressed concern over Aleksander Zniszczoł, who did not advance to the second round after a jump of 122 m and a 40th place finish. He said, "I’m worried about Olek because he lacks the necessary energy at the take-off. His force is going in the wrong direction. He had a very good season before and we started this season with high expectations. Olek is certainly frustrated, but he must live with it. We need to find a solution to this problem."

The next individual competition will take place on Sunday at the Muehlenkopfschanze.

Source: Polska Agencja Prasowa