What suddenly changed for the Poles? Adam Małysz reveals details

Polish Ski Association president Adam Małysz commented after Kamil Stoch and Dawid Kubacki won the men’s duo event at the pre‑Olympic test in Predazzo. He cautioned against overhyping the result but said it was the confidence boost the team needed and a good benchmark because the top competitors were present.

Małysz underlined a crucial technical shift: new, tighter suit rules have changed the jumping dynamics back toward a style similar to the Stefan Horngacher era, emphasizing a more upward take‑off, economy, and height rather than pure flight speed. He believes this favors experienced jumpers like Stoch and Kubacki and has helped Poland’s veterans adapt after two difficult years of constant adjustments.

He added that Paweł Wąsek, who struggled to adapt to earlier suit changes, is regaining form and was intentionally kept out of Rasnov and Predazzo to train without pressure. He also pointed to encouraging results by younger Polish jumpers at lower‑level events, arguing Poland is not only reliant on veterans.

Małysz sharply criticized FIS for frequent, sometimes contradictory regulation changes—mentioning talk of altering the Predazzo normal hill profile and potentially reversing women’s suit rules—and for the new ten five‑man groups format where only the second round counts, which he views as confusing for fans. He called for coherent, thoroughly considered reforms rather than trial‑and‑error each season.

On women’s jumping, he highlighted Anna Twardosz’s resurgence and potential value for mixed team events, recalling how Canada won an Olympic mixed medal in Beijing despite an overall modest level. Looking to winter and the 2026 Olympics, he expressed cautious optimism while noting rising expectations after the Predazzo win.

Małysz backed head coach Maciej Maciusiak, stressing a deliberate shift to a Polish‑led system and improved cooperation with personal coach Michał Doleżal (who works with Stoch). He said World Cup starts will go to those in the best shape at the time and emphasized patience, especially with younger athletes.