Polish ski jumper brutally honest: self-doubt and a demotion after Wisła; Zniszczoł to drop to Continental Cup

Polish ski jumper Aleksander Zniszczoł offered a candid assessment of his form after a difficult World Cup weekend in Wisła. He failed to qualify on Friday and, although he made Sunday’s competition, he finished only 39th, extending a long run without World Cup points.

“Fatal” was how Zniszczoł summarized the weekend. He explained that frame‑by‑frame review shows his movements are technically correct, but he lacks relaxation, so the takeoff “doesn’t give back.” As a result, he overattacks toward the landing and the table still doesn’t return the energy he puts in. He emphasized that regaining a sense of ease is crucial.

Even before head coach Maciej Maciusiak announced the roster for the next stop in Klingenthal, it was apparent Zniszczoł would be omitted—something he himself expected. He recalled that dropping to the Continental Cup two years ago helped him reset: “Maybe I need that again—get a little ‘mad’ at the jumps, have more fun, then the points started to come and it was nice.” He said he would welcome a calm training session with more jumps (six to eight) to feel the hill and rhythm without tension.

Zniszczoł also acknowledged the mental burden he has carried since March, when his public remarks about coach Thomas Thurnbichler and the national‑team atmosphere drew criticism. He said that once competitions began, he felt constantly judged and even received criminal threats from some fans, which affected his performance.

It is now confirmed he will skip the next World Cup weekend and instead start in the Continental Cup in Ruka to rebuild confidence and form.

Source: Przegląd Sportowy Onet