Paweł Wąsek's Weak Jump Turns Into a Lead in the Summer Grand Prix

Paweł Wąsek is now leading the Summer Grand Prix in ski jumping! Although he finished in a distant 16th place during the Saturday competition in Hinzenbach, Austria, he capitalized on a significant mistake made by his main rival to ascend to the top position just two events before the series concludes. Austrian Daniel Tschofenig emerged victorious in the event.

As the Summer Grand Prix enters its final phase, many top competitors joined the starting list for the Hinzenbach competition. Only two contests remain in the series, one in Austria and another in Klingenthal, Germany.

In the qualification for Saturday's event, Dawid Kubacki was the top-performing Polish jumper, landing at 88 meters and securing fifth place, the same result he achieved in the preceding training. Jakub Wolny landed at 87 meters, ranking ninth. Wąsek, the runner-up in the Summer Grand Prix standings, managed only 82.5 meters, placing him 21st, while Kacper Juroszek came in 27th at 81 meters. The first series surprisingly favored Pawła Wąska, who saw his main rival falter in his jump.

With 15 jumps completed, Tschofenig led with a distance of 93 meters, followed by Andreas Wellinger at 90.5 meters and Roman Koudelka at 86 meters. However, Koudelka was quickly displaced from the podium by Stephan Embacher, an impressive 18-year-old who also jumped 90.5 meters.

After 30 jumps, these three remained in the podium spots, securing their advance to the second series. Notably, veteran Simon Ammann was unable to advance, managing only 80 meters.

Top Polish athlete Ryoyu Kobayashi achieved 85.5 meters, securing an advancement into the next round. Jan Hoerl's performance with 93 meters solidified his dominance as the final jumper of the first series, while Wąsek's 86 meters left him 11th, just behind Kubacki.

In a thrilling competition for the second series, Stephan Leyhe led with a jump of 87.5 meters after the first 10 attempts, followed closely by Killian Peier and Gregor Deschwanden. Jakub Wolny improved his position with a jump of 87 meters, placing fifth, while Wąsek's 84.5 meters secured him seventh place overall.

Dawid Kubacki expressed his commitment by landing 87.5 meters, ultimately finishing ninth, while Wolny and Wąsek closely followed, with Wąsek now confidently seated as the leader of the overall standings with two competitions left.