In a significant shift for the Polish ski jumping team, Maciej Maciusiak has been appointed as the new head coach, taking over from Thomas Thurnbichler. This announcement was made by Adam Małysz, the president of the Polish Ski Association, during a press conference held in Planica on March 28, 2025.
Maciusiak, who is now 43 years old, steps into this role on the very day of his birthday, marking a new chapter not only in his career but also for the Polish ski jumping team. He previously served as Thurnbichler's assistant and has a wealth of experience in coaching within the Polish ski jumping system.
Thurnbichler, who had been at the helm since April 5, 2022, faced challenges in the recent seasons, failing to achieve the desired results with the team. Under his leadership, the Polish team had some notable successes, including Dawid Kubacki winning the Summer Grand Prix in 2022 and Piotr Żyła claiming a world championship title on the normal hill. However, the subsequent seasons did not yield similar results, leading to the decision for a coaching change.
"After discussions with the athletes and coaching staff, the Board of the Polish Ski Association decided that changes were necessary within the national team structure. Considering the atmosphere in the team and prioritizing the well-being of the representation, we decided to end the cooperation with Thomas Thurnbichler as the head coach of team A," Małysz stated.
Maciusiak's journey in ski jumping began as an athlete, although he did not achieve significant success during his competitive career. He primarily competed in the Continental Cup and faced challenges qualifying for World Cup events in Zakopane in 2002. However, he did win a gold medal in the team competition at the Polish Championships in 2004.
Transitioning to coaching, Maciusiak first became an assistant coach for the youth team in 2006 under Piotr Fijas. He later served as a serviceman for the A team from 2007 to 2011 before returning to the youth team as an assistant coach. His coaching career flourished when he became the head coach of the junior team, leading them to significant successes at the 2014 World Championships, where Jakub Wolny won individual gold and the team also secured a gold medal.
In recent years, Maciusiak has held various coaching roles, including leading the B team and serving as the Coordinator of the National Development Program for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. His contributions have been vital in reviving the careers of several Polish ski jumpers, including helping Maciej Kot and Dawid Kubacki through challenging periods in their careers.
As Maciusiak takes over, he faces the challenge of revitalizing a team that has seen a decline in performance. The Polish ski jumping team has struggled to find consistent success in the World Cup, with the last victory occurring on March 16, 2023, when Kubacki triumphed in Lillehammer. The current season has seen some promising performances, notably from Paweł Wąsek, who achieved his first podium finish on March 23, 2025.
Maciusiak's appointment comes at a critical time, just before the final competitions of the season in Planica, where the individual competition is set for March 28, followed by a team competition on March 29, and concluding with the final event on March 30, featuring the top 30 jumpers in the World Cup standings.
Looking ahead, the Polish Ski Association is optimistic about Maciusiak's ability to lead the team into a new era. His familiarity with the athletes and the coaching staff is expected to foster a positive environment as they prepare for upcoming competitions, including the Winter Olympics in Italy in 2026.
Thurnbichler has been offered a position to coach the Polish junior team as he weighs his options for the future. He has expressed a need for time to consider his next steps, which could involve continuing his work in Poland or exploring opportunities with other national teams.
As the Polish ski jumping community rallies behind Maciusiak, fans are eager to see how this change will impact the team's performance in the coming months. With a rich history and a talented roster, the potential for success remains high, and all eyes will be on the team's progress under their new leadership.
