Huge leap by Kacper Tomasiak in Engelberg: bad luck first, then a big jump

Domen Prevc claimed victory at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Engelberg, Switzerland, after a turbulent final round in strong tailwinds saw Ryoyu Kobayashi tumble from the lead to sixth. The day was marked by volatile conditions and mixed fortunes for the Polish team.

Poland’s brightest spot was 18‑year‑old Kacper Tomasiak. After a difficult first jump of 125 m in harsh tailwind—compounded by an in‑flight asymmetry that forced him to correct throughout the flight—he delivered a powerful 133 m jump in the final to climb ten places and finish 13th. Analysts on Eurosport highlighted that while his takeoff looked clean, the passive flight position and corrections in the air cost him in round one.

Piotr Żyła (131.5 m, then 126.5 m) placed 17th, while Kamil Stoch (126.5 m, then 125 m) ended 22nd after another difficult day coping with tailwind. Dawid Kubacki (118.5 m) finished 44th and Maciej Kot (122 m) 36th, both missing the second round. The first series also featured disqualifications for Mackenzie Boyd‑Clowes and Alex Insam, which helped Żyła squeeze into the final thirty.

At halfway, Kobayashi led with 138 m, with Ren Nikaido and Domen Prevc close behind, and Felix Hoffmann—Friday’s standout in training and qualification—sitting fourth despite the same 138 m. American Jason Colby produced one of the surprises of the day, benefiting from a fairer window to sit high after round one and finishing seventh thanks to a 135 m second jump. In the finale, Hoffmann flew 141 m to challenge for the podium, but Prevc bettered him by one meter at 142 m to secure the win, with Nikaido third (129.5 m in round two). Kobayashi, delayed at the bar by strong tailwind, managed 131 m and fell to sixth; Austria’s Jonas Schuster also jumped past him.

The piece also notes a structural blow for Poland: due to Continental Cup results, the team lost its bonus World Cup quota and will take only five athletes to the upcoming Four Hills Tournament unless results improve. The second Engelberg individual event follows on Sunday, preceded by qualification, where Paweł Wąsek—51st in Friday’s qualification—and others will seek redemption.

Polish results (final): - 13. Kacper Tomasiak — 125 m, 133 m - 17. Piotr Żyła — 131.5 m, 126.5 m - 22. Kamil Stoch — 126.5 m, 125 m

Selected highlights: - Winner: Domen Prevc - 2nd: Felix Hoffmann (141 m in round two) - 3rd: Ren Nikaido - 6th: Ryoyu Kobayashi (after leading at halfway) - 7th: Jason Colby (135 m in round two) - Also noted: Jonas Schuster, Mackenzie Boyd‑Clowes (DSQ), Alex Insam (DSQ), Pius Paschke (struggled in round one).