Kamil Stoch was very close to setting a record in the 2024/2025 World Cup season finale held in Planica, finishing in 15th place. However, he concluded the entire cycle in 31st place in the overall standings, marking the first time in 18 seasons that the Polish ski jumper failed to finish in the top 30. Stoch missed this achievement by just one point, a significant statistic considering his previous 18 seasons saw him consistently among the top competitors.
In the final competition, Stoch scored 16 points, which was not enough to surpass either Władimir Zografski or Lovro Kos, who finished 23rd and 18th, respectively. Lovro Kos scored 13 points, while Zografski added 8 points to his tally. Stoch ended the season with 157 points, just one point shy of Kos's 158, which ultimately kept him out of the top 30.
This marks a significant shift for Stoch, who has long been a stalwart in the sport. For 18 consecutive seasons, he was a fixture in the top 30, a streak that began in the 2006/2007 season. The last time he found himself outside this elite group was a stark reminder of the challenges he faced throughout the season.
In the team competition held the day before, the Polish team finished fourth, which was their best result of the season. Kamil Stoch, alongside teammates Piotr Żyła, Aleksander Zniszczoł, and Paweł Wąsek, showcased their skills but ultimately fell short of the podium, finishing 26.6 points behind third-place Slovenia. Stoch noted, "There was a fight for the podium. You could say we could smell it," reflecting on the competitive spirit that characterized the event.
Piotr Żyła led the Polish team with an impressive individual performance, scoring 427.7 points with jumps of 231.0 and 218.0 meters. Stoch, however, contributed 414.1 points with jumps of 214.0 and 220.5 meters. Despite his lower contribution, Stoch expressed positivity about the competition, stating, "It’s a different kind of emotion and adrenaline when you know you are fighting for something, and that it’s within reach. Today, the fight was until the very end." His experience shone through as he reflected on the season, which he described as challenging yet fulfilling.
Stoch has amassed 31 podium finishes in team competitions throughout his career, including seven victories. The last time he stood on the podium with his teammates was in March 2023 in Lahti, Finland, where they secured third place. As the ski jumping landscape evolves, Stoch highlighted the decreasing number of traditional four-man team competitions, lamenting the changes in the International Ski Federation's policies.
Looking ahead, Stoch is preparing for the next season, which will culminate in the Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026. He acknowledged feeling fatigued from the long season but is determined to push through, saying, "Every day in Planica, that energy decreased a bit, but I will manage. Maybe the sun will come out, and that will give me some energy."
In another notable event, Domen Prevc set a new world record in Planica with a jump of 254.5 meters, thrilling fans and solidifying his place in ski jumping history. However, despite this extraordinary feat, Prevc did not win the competition, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the sport.
As the season wraps up, it’s clear that while this year may not have been Stoch’s best, it has been a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport. The Polish ski jumping team, while facing challenges, has shown potential for growth and improvement, setting the stage for a promising future.
Additionally, the Polish ski jumping community has been abuzz with discussions about the upcoming changes in coaching, as Aleksander Zniszczoł commented on the recent appointment of Maciej Maciusiak as head coach, stating it was a long-overdue decision. Zniszczoł expressed optimism about the new direction, saying, "It should have happened a long time ago."
As fans look forward to the upcoming season and the potential for new records and achievements, Kamil Stoch’s legacy continues to inspire both seasoned athletes and newcomers to the sport. His journey, marked by perseverance and passion, remains a significant chapter in the history of ski jumping.
