One of the Poles Falls Behind the Rest. Qualifications Showed the Whole Truth

One of the Poles Falls Behind the Rest. Qualifications Showed the Whole Truth - Przegląd Sportowy Onet

Poles handled the pressure! All the White and Reds qualified for Sunday’s World Cup competition in Lillehammer (HS 140) despite changing conditions and chaos before the qualifications, caused by an impending snowstorm that disrupted organizers' plans. The Poles performed well, primarily led by Dawid Kubacki, who jumped 128.5 m. The only disappointment among the five trainees of Thomas Thurnbichler may be Maciej Kot, who clearly lagged behind his teammates in the results table. Moreover, Thurnbichler commented on Kot's performance on Saturday. The qualifications were won by Austrian Jan Hoerl.

The Saturday qualifications for the second individual competition of the 2024/25 World Cup at the Lillehammer ski jump (HS 140) began at 9:30 AM, although they were initially scheduled for 14:45 PM, the same as Saturday's competition. Why was the change made?

It was all due to the expected snowstorm and organizers' concerns. "Due to the announced snowstorm on Sunday, the men's qualifications have been moved to 9:30 AM. The competition remains at 4 PM," wrote Kacper Merk from Eurosport on the X platform before the qualifications. The morning session turned out to be fortunate for the Poles.

Maciej Kot was not satisfied with his jump. His rivals helped him

The first of the White and Reds on the ramp was Maciej Kot. The 33-year-old jumper only achieved 117.5 m, but as it turned out later, this result was sufficient for advancement. The disappointing jumps of favorites in subsequent trials helped the seasoned Pole.

However, this attempt may not satisfy Thomas Thurnbichler. The Austrian explained to his trainee on Saturday that he must "get along" with his skis.

Kamil Stoch was the second Pole to jump. The three-time Olympic champion did not impress on Saturday and failed to qualify for the second series of the competition. In Sunday’s qualification, however, he performed significantly better, jumping 125 m, which earned him fourth place after his jump.

After 30 jumps, American Kevin Bickner was in the lead, with a distance of 128.5 m in poor conditions. Slovenian Timi Zajc was second, despite jumping 133 m.

Dawid Kubacki the best among the White and Reds

Jumping off with a "40" on his bib, Dawid Kubacki easily qualified for the competition, jumping 128.5 m. This trial placed the 2019 world champion in fifth place.

A few minutes after Kubacki's attempt, Aleksander Zniszczoł jumped. The leader of the Polish team from the previous season jumped 127 m. Zniszczoł split the Poles, pushing Stoch down to seventh place. He himself secured sixth place after Kubacki.

After 50 jumpers, Norwegian Marius Lindvik was leading with a distance of 134.5 m. Minutes later, Paweł Wąsek took his jump. Like his teammates, he qualified for the competition, jumping 118 m under poor conditions.

The qualifications were won by Austrian Jan Hoerl, who jumped 132 m. Sunday’s competition will start at 4 PM, and the Poles are surely hoping for an improvement in their form from the first debates.

Places of Poles in Sunday’s qualifications: 15. Dawid Kubacki, 19. Aleksander Zniszczoł, 21. Kamil Stoch, 22. Paweł Wąsek, 40. Maciej Kot.

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