Lahti, Finland, witnessed a remarkable day for the Polish ski jumping team as Paweł Wąsek secured third place in the World Cup competition on March 22, 2025, marking the first podium finish for Poland in the current season.
Wąsek had shown promise in the qualifications, finishing in 10th place, setting the stage for an impressive performance. Anže Lanišek of Slovenia topped the standings in both rounds, securing the victory with jumps of 131 meters and 128 meters, while Austrian Stefan Kraft placed second with jumps of 127.5 meters and 126.5 meters.
The competition began with qualifications where Wąsek impressed spectators and coaches alike. He achieved a jump of 127 meters in the first series during the main event, positioning himself third, just behind Lanišek and Kraft. This jump not only showcased Wąsek's skills but also elevated hopes for a potential pole position.
However, the day didn’t fare as well for the other Polish contenders. Kamil Stoch managed to finish 31st with a jump of 115 meters, followed by Dawid Kubacki in 24th place with a jump of 117.5 meters. Maciej Kot struggled even further, ending up 47th with just 106.5 meters. Jakub Wolny and Aleksander Zniszczoł did not qualify for the competition, finishing 51st and 57th respectively.
In the second series, Wąsek maintained his composure and secured his podium finish with a jump of 127.5 meters, outperforming Manuel Fettner of Austria by just 0.6 points. This was a brilliant achievement for Wąsek, marking not only his first podium finish in the World Cup but also a historic moment for Polish ski jumping, making him the fourteenth Polish ski jumper to earn a podium spot in individual World Cup events.
Fans and commentators took to social media to express their excitement about Wąsek’s success. TVP Sport’s Mateusz Leleń noted, “The success of Wąsek could secure Thomas Thurnbichler’s position as coach, as the team seeks to rebuild after a difficult season.”
As the results unfolded, many were speculating whether this success would signal a turning tide for Polish ski jumping, which had struggled earlier in the season. Wąsek’s performance indeed brought a moment of joy as he lifted the spirits following disappointing results from his teammates. This competition serves as a much-needed boost and could play a pivotal role as Wąsek and his fellow ski jumpers look forward to future competitions, including a team event set for March 23, 2025, in Lahti.
With the ski jumping season nearing its conclusion, Wąsek’s achievement stands as a beacon of hope for Polish ski jumping. As he steps into the limelight, fans are eager to see how he and his teammates can capitalize on this momentum in upcoming events.
In the World Cup standings, Daniel Tschofenig leads, while Wąsek currently sits in 15th position with a significant 1137-point deficit. As for his closest rivals, Zniszczoł ranks 23rd, Stoch stands at 33rd, Kubacki holds 35th, and Wolny sits at 36th.
Wąsek's achievement can also be viewed as a critical turning point in the immersion of Polish ski jumping onto the international stage after a rocky start this season. As he prepares for the next challenge, fans around the world will be rallying behind their ski jumping stars, hoping for continued success and motivating stories like that of Paweł Wąsek.
