Kamil Stoch Had a Ticket for the TCS. Sudden Turn. Adam Małysz Reveals

Kamil Stoch will not be competing in the 2024 Four Hills Tournament despite having a ticket to participate. Instead, he will remain home while other Polish jumpers will head to Oberstdorf, where the event kicks off. Adam Małysz, president of the Polish Ski Association, provided insights into the decision, stating that it was made by Stoch and his coach Michal Dolezal, who felt that Stoch's recent jumps were not of the necessary standard for competition.

Stoch has been a staple in this event, having competed continuously since the 2005/06 season, and his absence is viewed as significant in Polish ski jumping circles. This year, Stoch's performance has been less impressive, with only two finishes in the top twenty during his ten starts. Małysz expressed understanding for Stoch's choice, indicating that he prefers to focus on training rather than competing with subpar performances.

As a replacement, Polish ski jumpers participating in this year's tournament include Aleksander Zniszczoł, Paweł Wąsek, Jakub Wolny, Piotr Żyła, and Dawid Kubacki. Małysz noted that they are facing challenges primarily related to their jumps and equipment, as German and Austrian teams have an edge in the materials used for suits. Overall, the Polish team aims to regroup and improve in preparation for upcoming competitions, focusing on returning Stoch to his prior form.