Polish Ski Jumper Suddenly Suspends Her Career Just Before World Championships: Here's Why

Natalia Słowik, a promising Polish ski jumper, has abruptly decided to suspend her career just before the World Championships in Trondheim. According to her coach, Marcin Bachleda, Słowik lost her motivation halfway through the season and felt the need to take a break from the sport. Additionally, her recent jump results were not strong enough to justify participation in such a high-level event.

This decision leaves the Polish team with only three remaining jumpers—Anna Twardosz, Nicole Konderla, and Pola Bełtowska—which presents a challenge for fielding a four-person team in the team competition. Coach Bachleda mentioned that although the option of borrowing jumper Joanna Kil, who specializes in Nordic combined, is on the table, the focus will instead be on individual competitions and mixed events. He stressed that forcing a team appearance in a non-Olympic contest would not be worthwhile, as a good performance would not secure additional support or scholarships.

The article also recalls that earlier in the season, Słowik competed in Lake Placid where she finished 38th in a World Cup event. The ski jumping competitions at the World Championships in Trondheim are scheduled to run from February 28 to March 2, 2025.