Leader of the team sidelined for the Ski Jumping World Championships. Coach of the Poles explains the decision

This article discusses the recent decisions made by Thomas Thurnbichler, the coach of the Polish ski jumping team, regarding the lineup for the mixed team event at the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim.

Dawid Kubacki and Aleksander Zniszczoł were recognized as the most stable performers during the training sessions on the large hill. In one of the series, Zniszczoł even placed fourth. Consequently, Thurnbichler selected these two for the mixed team competition.

Despite Paweł Wąsek being the best athlete on the team, Thurnbichler explained that his decision was based on today's performance. "We took the two most stable athletes from today's training, which were Dawid and Olek. We know that Paweł is our best jumper, and I am sure he would perform better tomorrow in the competition than he did today, but those two players were better today. Good work should pay off, and that is why they will jump tomorrow," the coach clarified.

This decision means that Wąsek, who ranked 27th, 42nd, and 22nd in his training runs, will miss the first competition of the season. Until now, he had participated in all individual, team, and mixed competitions.

There will be no additional training series before the team competition, so the coaching staff will need to finalize their lineup based on what they observed during today's training. "We will have to discuss the team lineup again among the coaches. For me, it is almost certain that Dawid and Olek can be considered secure in their spots, as well as Paweł as the top athlete in the World Cup standings. We will decide between Piotr and Kuba," stated Thurnbichler.

This marks a significant moment for the Polish team as they aim for success at the international level. Prior to the team competition, the selection process is crucial and highlights the coach's strategy in preparing the best possible lineup.

Additional Context

• Author: Julia Piątkowska
• Date: March 4, 2025