Orlen's Last-Minute Deal Falls Apart, Leaving SKI in the Cold

In a last-ditch effort to save the struggling German ski manufacturing company SKI, Orlen, a prominent Polish energy firm, was poised to provide a financial lifeline ahead of the parliamentary elections. Daniel Obajtek, closely associated with Orlen, expressed strong interest in a deal that could have injected as much as 25.5 million PLN into SKI. However, the situation quickly became complicated due to a significant conflict of interest involving Polish ski jumpers, which raised concerns about the negotiations.

As political dynamics shifted in Poland, the discussions eventually came to a halt, leaving SKI unable to find a new sponsor. Without this crucial support, SKI was forced to cease operations, marking a concerning development for the skiing community. Previously one of the few manufacturers of ski jumping equipment, SKI's closure now leaves a gap filled primarily by established ski brands like Fischer, Van Deer-Red Bull, and Slatnar, who will now dominate the market.