Thomas Thurnbichler Answered a Question Instantly, Now We See the Results

Soon after Thomas Thurnbichler joined the Polish national team, a media day was held in Szczyrk. One of the questions he faced was about which Polish jumper had the greatest untapped potential. Without hesitation, he pointed to Paweł Wąsek. This season has shown the results of that faith, as Wąsek continues to impress and develop as a competitor.

When we conducted interviews for the book 'Za punktem K' alongside Jakub Radomski, we visited Paweł at his home in Ustroń. One of the topics discussed was Michal Doleżal's controversial departure. Wąsek initially expressed some reservations about the coaching change but embraced Thurnbichler's arrival with an open mind and humility.

From the outset, he trusted the Austrian coach, who has repeatedly praised Wąsek's work ethic and dedication. In discussions prior to the 2023/24 season, Thurnbichler highlighted Wąsek as a role model. This has proven to be significant, as he has stabilized his performance at a high level, even achieving a podium finish for the first time in his career.

Wąsek's leap in performance has been noticeable, particularly in Oberstdorf, where he transformed his fortunes from disappointing trials to a top-ten finish the following day. The bond between him and Thurnbichler has been crucial, effectively unlocking the talent within Wąsek, who is now a cornerstone of the team amidst an otherwise challenging season for Polish ski jumping.

As the second difficult season for Polish ski jumping nears its end without medals at the World Championships, Wąsek remains the bright spot, highlighting the hope for future success with Thurnbichler at the helm.