Paweł Wąsek Stays on Top of the Summer Grand Prix Despite Jump Setback

Paweł Wąsek has taken the lead in the Summer Grand Prix! Despite finishing in a disappointing 16th place during Saturday's competition in Hinzenbach, Austria, the Polish ski jumper capitalized on a critical error from his main rival. With only two competitions remaining in the series, Wąsek has ascended to the top of the Summer Grand Prix standings, while Austrian Daniel Tschofenig claimed victory in the event.

As the Summer Grand Prix moves into its decisive phase, top competitors gathered in Hinzenbach, where the stakes are impressively high with upcoming competitions in both Austria and the German city of Klingenthal.

In the qualifications for the event, Dawid Kubacki stood out among the Polish athletes, achieving the longest jump of 88 meters, which placed him in fifth—matching his position from the prior training round. Jakub Wolny also performed well, reaching 87 meters and finishing ninth. Meanwhile, Wąsek, the overall vice-leader of the Summer Grand Prix, recorded a jump of 82.5 meters, landing in 21st place, while Kacper Juroszek followed closely behind in 27th with a jump of 81 meters.

Fortune smiled on Wąsek in the first round as his leading rival struggled during their jump.

After the initial thirty jumps, the leaderboard was topped by Daniel Tschofenig, who leaped 93 meters, followed by Andreas Wellinger at 90.5 meters in second place, and Roman Koudelka, who briefly held third with an 86-meter jump. Notably, renowned jumper Simon Ammann didn't qualify for the second series after landing at just 80 meters, while other elite jumpers like Ryoyu Kobayashi qualified with an impressive jump of 85.5 meters.

Jakub Wolny was among those advancing to the second series after completing a jump of 83 meters. Wąsek's 86-meter effort put him in close contention with Kubacki.

The second series was fiercely competitive, with Stephan Leyhe initially leading with a jump of 87.5 meters, before Jakub Wolny jumped 87 meters, placing him in fifth. Wąsek, despite recording a jump of 84.5 meters, retained his position at the top of the overall classification, closing the round in seventh place.

Though Wąsek ultimately finished 16th in the event, this performance was enough to keep him at the forefront of the Summer Grand Prix standings, with Tschofenig taking home the win, and Wellinger and Jan Hoerl rounding out the podium.