Surprise — Poland's best in Bischofshofen and Hoerl's big blast

The Polish team showed up well in the first training at Bischofshofen. Kamil Stoch was the best of our squad — 133.5 m gave him a high 8th place and a better score than Kacper Tomasiak. The 18-year-old placed 11th, and Paweł Wąsek also made the top 30 in 21st, seeking to atone for a bizarre disqualification in Innsbruck.

Before the 16:30 qualifying round there was one more training session as planned. So far the competition in Bischofshofen is shaping up nicely for Stoch. After 41st in the Bergisel competition, fans had reason to worry — but Stoch answered.

On the Paul Ausserleitner hill he added a 128 m jump to his 133.5 m and finished 15th in the session, again the best from the Polish team. Tomasiak actually flew two metres further than the three-time Olympic champion, but after wind compensations his score was lower. The best Pole in this edition of the Four Hills Tournament finished training in 17th overall.

Paweł Wąsek lacked such consistency: he began with 127 m but ruined his second attempt. A 114.5 m jump left him only 49th, the weakest of the Polish group this time. He was overtaken by Maciej Kot (121 m, 33rd) and Dawid Kubacki (115.5 m, 47th).

The training winner was Jan Hoerl, who blasted to 143.5 m and beat second-placed Domen Prevc (138 m) by 8.8 points. Third was Ryoyu Kobayashi (138.5 m).

Results and live coverage of today’s qualification for the final Four Hills event can be found on the Przegląd Sportowy website.

Poles' places in the first training:

• 1. Kamil Stoch — 133.5 m
• 1. Kacper Tomasiak — 130.5 m
• 1. Paweł Wąsek — 127 m
• 1. Dawid Kubacki — 118 m
• 1. Maciej Kot — 117.5 m

Places in the second training:

• 1. Kamil Stoch — 128 m
• 1. Kacper Tomasiak — 130 m
• 1. Maciej Kot — 121 m
• 1. Dawid Kubacki — 115.5 m
• 1. Paweł Wąsek — 114.5 m

Source: Przegląd Sportowy Onet