Poles Return to Their Best. And Then the Black Series Began

Ski Jumping

Polish ski jumpers have been waiting for more than a year and a half for their hundredth victory in the World Cup events. The last to win was Dawid Kubacki, who achieved this on March 16, 2023, in Lillehammer, Norway. This Saturday, the first individual competition of the new season will take place at the same venue. Below is the list of Polish athletes competing in the qualifications.

Kamil Stoch (Photo: Grzegorz Momot / PAP)
The first victory came on January 26, 1980, in Zakopane, achieved by Stanisław Bobak. Later, Piotr Fijas won three times in competitions. Then came the era of Adam Małysz — “The Eagle from Wisła” celebrated 39 World Cup victories and long remained unmatched in this regard.

His achievement was matched by Kamil Stoch, who might surpass his great predecessor this season—now the president of the Polish Ski Association.

Dawid Kubacki has recorded 11 victories, while Piotr Żyła and Maciej Kot each have two. This trio will have a chance to increase their tally this season.

Krzysztof Biegun and Jan Ziobro, who have both retired from the sport, each had a single World Cup victory.

Season 2024/25 in Ski Jumping Begins

The first individual competition of the Ski Jumping World Cup season starts in Lillehammer on Saturday. In the women's qualifications beginning at 11:00 AM, four Polish women will compete: Nicole Konderla, Anna Twardosz, Pola Bełtowska, and Natalia Słowik. At 12:30 PM, the 40 best participants will take part in the individual competition. Men’s qualifications are scheduled for 14:45.

These Are the Athletes Competing for the Men's Team Success

In the men's qualifications, five Polish jumpers will appear: Kamil Stoch, Dawid Kubacki, Aleksander Zniszczoł, Paweł Wąsek, and Maciej Kot. The men’s competition will take place at 16:00. On Friday, mixed team competitions occurred at Lysgaardsbakken, where Germany triumphed, outpacing Norway and Austria. The Polish team, consisting of Konderla, Wąsek, Twardosz, and Zniszczoł, took seventh place.

Unexpected Leader of the Polish Team

Paweł Wąsek was the top performer among the Poles, jumping 130 m and 132.5 m. The only longer jumps were made by Slovenia's Nika Prevc and Germany's Pius Paschke. Kamil Stoch has claimed three victories in Lillehammer, with Dawid Kubacki being the last Polish winner there on March 16, 2023.