Revamped Ski Jumping Hill in Wisła Malinka Prepares for Upcoming Competitions

The ski jumping hill at Wisła Malinka has recently undergone significant renovations just in time for the upcoming Summer Grand Prix competitions scheduled for September 14-15. This essential refurbishment was prompted by a landslide caused by heavy rainfall in the area. According to Tomasz Laszczak, the managing director of the facility, these upgrades are crucial to maintaining international standards for ski jumping events.

Originally, both men's and women's ski jumping competitions were set to take place on August 17-18, but due to the adverse weather conditions, the events were postponed. A new schedule was established, with qualifiers taking place on September 13, but sadly, the women's competition has been canceled due to low participation.

A Brief History of the Wisła Malinka Ski Jumping Hill

The Wisła Malinka ski jumping hill first opened its doors in 1933 but faced challenges over the decades. By 2002, its deteriorating condition rendered it unusable, leading to its demolition. A groundbreaking ceremony for its replacement occurred in September 2003, and after five years of construction, the new hill—equipped with artificial lighting and a plastic surface—was officially reopened.

In 2023, renovation efforts intensified, particularly focusing on updating the inrun tracks. Consequently, the Summer Grand Prix didn't happen that year, with the competition being relocated to nearby Szczyrk instead. The main renovation tasks were completed prior to the World Cup in January, with additional improvements continuing after the event.

Upcoming Summer Grand Prix Schedule

This year's Summer Grand Prix series, featuring ski jumping on plastic surfaces, consists of ten events. The series kicked off with the first two competitions in Courchevel on August 13-14, both won by Austria's Stefan Kraft. Following the events in Wisła, the series will continue in Rasnov, Romania, on September 21-22, then Hinzenbach, Austria, a week later. The series will conclude with a mixed team competition format in Klingenthal, Germany, on October 5-6.

Information sourced from the Polish Press Agency.