Poland’s coach names who disappointed in Engelberg: “a negative surprise”

Poland’s head coach Maciej Maciusiak confirmed he will have to cut one jumper from the squad for the upcoming Four Hills Tournament, because only five Polish athletes can start there while six are competing this weekend in Engelberg, the final stop before the prestigious series.

Speaking to Eurosport, Maciusiak said he doesn’t want to add pressure and will decide after Sunday’s event: “We’re losing one place due to the Continental Cup quota, so we don’t have an extra spot. The decisions will be made tomorrow. They just have to jump normally.”

In Saturday’s competition, Kacper Tomasiak was again the top Pole in 13th place. Piotr Żyła and Kamil Stoch also scored World Cup points. Paweł Wąsek was the only Polish jumper who failed to pass qualification, with a chance to rebound on Sunday.

Maciusiak openly identified the day’s disappointment: “A negative surprise was definitely Dawid Kubacki. He had a clear plan of what to do; in the trial round it worked and he was supposed to repeat it. You can see the pressure—when the guys want more, sometimes ‘more’ in ski jumping means worse. Dawid spoiled that jump; it’s a pity, because for the others the plan was carried out.”

With Engelberg serving as the dress rehearsal for Four Hills, the coach indicated the final five for the Tournament will be named after the second day’s competition.