Kamil Stoch's Nightmare in Oberstdorf! It Hasn't Been This Bad in 15 Years

Kamil Stoch’s recent performance during the World Cup in Oberstdorf has left him in a deep slump. After a disappointing Saturday where he ranked 32nd and did not advance to the second series, things only got worse on Sunday as he failed to qualify for the event altogether. With a score of 148 points, he was just seven points short of matching the 40th position held by Junshiro Kobayashi. This shocking outcome marks the first time in 15 years that Stoch has walked away from a weekend of ski jumping without earning any World Cup points.

Formerly a beacon of success in ski flying, Stoch was part of a bronze medal-winning team at the World Championships in Planica in 2020. He has also been a two-time individual silver medalist, showcasing his talent in previous seasons. Yet now, figures in the sport, like Mateusz Leleń from TVP Sport, highlight the drastic change in Stoch’s performance compared to past years.

Stoch's current situation raises questions about the impact of technological changes on ski jumping techniques. Former ski jumper and coach Jan Szturc mentions that adapting to new methods in jumping poses a significant challenge for seasoned athletes like Stoch who had previously mastered their own techniques. As the ski jumping community watches closely, the question remains: will Kamil Stoch be able to find his way back into form, or is this a sign of more significant struggles ahead?