We Know the Roster of Jumpers for the World Cup! One Major Absence

During our second camp on the ice tracks, we made the decision about the roster for the first competitions that will kick off the World Cup," reveals Thomas Thurnbichler. The coach of the Polish team decided that in the season opener in Lillehammer, we will see Dawid Kubacki, Paweł Wąsek, Aleksander Zniszczoł, Kamil Stoch, and Maciej Kot. Unexpectedly, Piotr Żyła is not on the list. The Austrian explained his decision in a statement quoted by the Polish Ski Association.

— Even before the second camp, we nominated Dawid Kubacki, Paweł Wąsek, and Aleksander Zniszczoł. This trio did the best jumping in Zakopane as well. The last two places were highly contested. We had five jumpers at the same level. Thus, we considered performance from the camps in Wisła and Zakopane, as well as Wednesday's test. In that test, Kamil Stoch and Maciej Kot performed the best. Therefore, they will go to Lillehammer," explains Thurnbichler.

The coaching staff already has a plan for the remaining athletes who will not participate in the events on November 22-24 on the Norwegian ramp.

• Check: A Yet. Huge Surprise. Dawid Kubacki Announces Regarding Career Ending

— The remaining athletes — Piotr Żyła, Kuba Wolny, Kacper Juroszek, and Andrzej Stękała are preparing to perform in the national group in Wisła. This will be an opportunity for them to join the World Cup competitions," he declares.

— I called the athletes a week earlier because I want them to have a peaceful atmosphere during the last camp. So that during the last camp they focus on training and their performances," he adds.

It turns out that the World Cup opener without one of our top performers is something fans haven't seen in 14 years. "Piotr Żyła will miss the World Cup opener for the first time since 2010, when Małysz was still jumping," noted Mateusz Leleń from TVP Sport.

There is no doubt that one of the factors that may have influenced the nominations was the condition of the 37-year-old's knee after surgery. However, Thurnbichler indicates that everything is progressing as it should.

— Piotrek has really improved in the last two months after the operation. Physically, he has almost returned to the top. However, the most important thing for him now is to stay home, train calmly, stabilize his jumps, and prepare for competition in Wisła," explains the coach in detail.

About his situation, the jumper also spoke to the media some time ago. — My knee had been bothering me for a while, four or five years ago," he revealed.

The inaugural events of the World Cup in Lillehammer on the HS 140 ramp will take place in just two weeks. On Friday, November 22, the best jumpers in the world will have training and a mixed competition, and on Saturday, there will be qualifications and the first individual competition. A similar plan is set for Sunday.

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Source: Przegląd Sportowy Onet