In a significant turn of events in the ski jumping world, Gregor Schlierenzauer, one of the sport's legends, has voiced his thoughts on the recent dismissal of Thomas Thurnbichler as the coach of the Polish national team. Schlierenzauer, who has an illustrious career spanning from 2006 to 2021, is known for his numerous accolades, including four World Championships in ski flying and six in Nordic skiing, along with four Olympic podium finishes.
Thurnbichler was let go following a season that was less than stellar for the Polish ski jumpers, with only Paweł Wąsek standing out among the team. In a candid interview with WP SportoweFakty, Schlierenzauer remarked, "I don’t know all the details, but I know the season wasn’t easy. Thomas is an excellent coach, as he led Daniel Tschofenig and did a great job in Austria. He is very motivated." Despite his praise, Schlierenzauer acknowledged the challenges faced by a young coach like Thurnbichler, especially when managing a team with many experienced athletes. "It’s not easy for such a young coach in a large team like Poland, where there are many seasoned competitors. However, I think this collaboration has benefited both sides," he added.
Schlierenzauer emphasized the immense pressure that comes with coaching in Poland, stating, "If you’re a coach and an athlete, you must deliver results. In Poland, there is huge pressure, especially from athletes who have previously achieved success." He pointed out that under Thurnbichler's leadership, the experienced jumpers did not perform as well as they had in the past, which ultimately contributed to his dismissal.
Following Thurnbichler's exit, Maciej Masiusiak has taken over the coaching duties for the Polish team. Schlierenzauer expressed hope for the future, saying, "I believe they can change and rebuild. But there’s a significant gap between World Cup and Continental Cup athletes, and the level of younger competitors needs to be raised." He specifically mentioned the struggles of well-known jumpers like Kamil Stoch, Dawid Kubacki, and Piotr Żyła in adapting to new equipment regulations, which may have affected their performance.
In addition to discussing the coaching situation, Schlierenzauer addressed the recent controversy involving Norwegian ski jumpers who were found to have illegally altered their suits during the World Championships in Trondheim. He remarked, "It was easy to see that these suits were not compliant. FIS needs to come up with clearer rules that are more transparent for jumpers." He supported the decision to suspend the Norwegian athletes pending an investigation but acknowledged the importance of Norway in the ski jumping landscape. "We need Norway in the long run. This country has a great tradition in ski jumping. These jumpers are good guys who just made a mistake. Now we need to start anew and hope that new rules will improve the situation," he stated.
Schlierenzauer characterized the actions of the Norwegian jumpers as cheating, stating, "I don’t like the word cheating. There’s a big difference between just being on the limit with your equipment and openly doing something against the rules. Everyone operates on the limit. You have to do it if you want to win." He lamented that discussions surrounding equipment have overshadowed the importance of technique in the sport, saying, "We’ve reached a point where technique doesn’t matter as much as the suit, skis, or boots. FIS and all coaches need to work on establishing clear regulations to reverse this trend."
As he prepares for the upcoming Red Bull Skoki w Punkt event in Zakopane, Schlierenzauer is excited to return to a place where he has enjoyed considerable success, having won five World Cup competitions there. "When I heard that Red Bull Skoki w Punkt would take place in Zakopane, I thought it was a great idea. I didn’t expect to return so quickly, but here I am! It’s always great to come to Zakopane and return to Poland. I have wonderful memories from this place," he shared.
Looking ahead to the competition, Schlierenzauer expressed confidence in his team, stating, "We have a great team, and I hope we will all have a lot of fun and laughter. The communication with my athletes is excellent, and I’m really happy with that aspect. I can’t wait for Saturday’s competition!" He believes that the innovative format of the event, which includes real-time communication between the captain and jumpers, will engage younger audiences and promote the sport effectively. "There are many innovations that we are showing to the world. Innovations are always interesting for fans, and I personally believe that ski jumping could benefit from more innovations in television broadcasts, similar to Formula 1," he noted.
As he prepares for the challenges ahead, including a captain’s competition on the small mobile K-4 ski jump, Schlierenzauer is eager to showcase his skills again, albeit in a different capacity. "It’s been a long time since I jumped, and while this jump may seem small, it’s not easy at all. But it’s nice to meet up and jump again with old friends, legends of the sport. It’s something beautiful," he remarked.
In conclusion, as Schlierenzauer gears up for the Red Bull Skoki w Punkt event, he remains optimistic about the future of ski jumping in Poland and the potential for growth and improvement within the sport. With new leadership and a fresh perspective, there’s hope that the Polish ski jumpers can reclaim their place among the elite in the coming seasons.
