Adam Małysz sums up Poland’s disaster in Ruka and points out the errors

Polish Ski Association president Adam Małysz did not mince words after Poland’s men endured a disastrous World Cup in Ruka. In a weather-affected, one-round competition, Slovenia’s Anže Lanišek won ahead of Japan’s Ren Nikaidō and Slovenia’s Domen Prevc, while Poland’s squad struggled badly. The lone bright spot was 18-year-old Kacper Tomasiak, who finished 18th.

Veterans failed to deliver. Dawid Kubacki and Piotr Żyła were eliminated already in qualification. In the main round, Kamil Stoch placed only 37th, while Aleksander Zniszczoł (31st) and Paweł Wąsek (36th) also missed the final. Małysz said the overall level was “very poor” aside from Tomasiak, adding that the team’s jumping “doesn’t inspire optimism.”

Małysz dissected Stoch’s problems on the Ruka hill: late takeoffs, a low flight path over the knoll, and difficulty gaining height in the first phase when tailwind appears. By contrast, Lanišek, Prevc and Nikaidō managed to stay higher early and convert that into distance. Małysz said he would speak with head coach Maciej Maciusiak to understand why Kubacki and Żyła are in such weak form, noting that optimism after Lillehammer had quickly faded.

He also pointed out that Zniszczoł had welcomed the change from Thomas Thurnbichler to Maciusiak months ago, yet his form has since declined—something many fans now question. Despite the gloom, Małysz highlighted Tomasiak’s strengths: strong takeoff power, quick move over the skis, and flat guidance in flight. If the youngster stabilizes his skis and widens them slightly in flight, he could place even higher.

There was at least one positive for Poland this season in the women’s ranks: Anna Twardosz took 10th in Falun (with Pola Bełtowska 14th). Małysz noted that after a strong Summer Grand Prix, new suit rules came in, but Twardosz’s ability to get quickly over the skis stands out, and he hopes the upward trend continues. Looking ahead to the upcoming home World Cup in Wisła, Małysz urged patience but admitted it is hard to feel optimistic unless form improves quickly.