Piotr Żyła Set to Make Comeback After Surgery

Polish fans were taken aback by coach Thomas Thurnbichler's decision not to include Piotr Żyła for the opening World Cup events in Lillehammer, Norway. Thurnbichler explained this choice was due to the operation Żyła underwent in August. However, there's good news on the horizon: according to Rafał Kot, former physiotherapist for the Polish team, Żyła is expected to be fit for competitions in Wisła. This aligns with the plans of the Polish Ski Association (PZN).

In Lillehammer, the Polish team will consist of Dawid Kubacki, Paweł Wąsek, Aleksander Zniszczoł, Kamil Stoch, and Maciej Kot, as decided after reviewing performances before the camps in Wisła and Zakopane. Thurnbichler highlighted the close competition for the last two spots, with Stoch and Kot winning a recent test competition.

As top absent skater, Żyła is working to regain his best form after knee surgery. Thurnbichler indicated that he aims to return during the Wisła contest in early December.

Kot reassured fans that Žyła will definitely be ready for competitions in Poland, indicating that he’s eager to jump again. He believes this season will be more successful for Żyła as well as for the Polish ski jumping team compared to the last season, where the top Polish competitor finished in a disappointing 19th place. He also reminded fans to maintain a healthy sense of realism regarding expectations for a drastic turnaround.