Poland’s Piotr Zyla celebrates World Cup return on home soil

Two-time individual world champion Piotr Zyla (POL) makes his highly anticipated comeback to the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup stage this weekend. The 37-year-old returns to action on home soil in Wisla, Poland, after having had knee surgery in August.

Zyla missed the season opener in Lillehammer, Norway, and opted to sit out last weekend’s World Cup in Ruka (Finland). A representative of WSS Wisla Club, Zyla always knew his first competition of the new season would be on home soil, however.

The event in Wisla will be his first international start since the World Cup final in Planica, Slovenia, in March 2024. Although Zyla knows he is not yet in top shape, he is happy to be back on the circuit.

In his twentieth season of ski jumping, Zyla hopes to erase last season’s disappointments of missing out on podium finishes in the World Cup.

Ones to Watch – Wisla World Cup

With Wisla being the third World Cup weekend of the season, the world’s best male ski jumpers continue their quest for the coveted Crystal Globe.

Comeback kid Zyla will face stiff competition on home soil, with Pius Paschke (GER) leading the way in the current individual standings.  

Paschke extended his advantage in the race for the Crystal Globe by claiming his second victory of the season in Ruka, Finland, last week.

The 34-year-old German, who is already enjoying his best-ever World Cup season to date, has amassed 316 points so far. With that, he has a 76-point lead over reigning Crystal Globe winner Stefan Kraft (AUT) who has 240 points after finishing second and third in Ruka.

Jan Hoerl (AUT), who finished on top of the podium on the second day in Lillehammer, sits in third (236 points), followed by 2022 world junior champion Daniel Tschofenig (AUT, 230 points).

Andreas Wellinger, who landed on top on day two of the Ruka World Cup last week, is in fifth place (203 points). Both Hoerl (AUT) and Wellinger (GER) have precious memories from Wisla as they both claimed their first career win in an individual World Cup event on the Polish hill: Hoerl in 2021, Wellinger in 2014.

Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN), who won the Wisla World Cup in January 2024, will be among the ones to look out for as he aims to repeat his success from last season. His win in Wisla was one of his only two wins during 2023/2024.

Challenging circumstances

The Wisla World Cup is set to take place after a week full of uncertainty and challenges as the local organisers faced challenges in preparing the hill due to high temperatures and lack of snow. “It’s been quite a difficult preparation for Wisla”, FIS World Cup Race Director Sandro Pertile said.

“We had some sort of a crisis meeting last week, while we were in Ruka, with the organisers to check the situation. All options were on the table. Thanks to the great motivation and effort from the organisers we will compete on snow this weekend”, Pertile continues.

The Race Director explained that the organizers tried to use modern technology for snow preparation. “We also had a small snow depot and a great cooperation between the cross country and the ski jumping venues. That was crucial to reach the goal of having enough snow.”

The Adam Malysz Hill is now ready for qualifying commencing on Friday 6 December, before World Cups on both 7 and 8 December. “We expect some challenges with the weather again, but with the strong motivation of everyone involved we are confident we will have a great weekend”, Pertile said.

FIS Ski Jumping World Cup -
Wisla (POL) - Schedule

06.12.2024
16:00 – Training
18:00 – Start Qualification - QUA WC Men LH

07.12.2024
14:00 – Start Trial Round - WC Men’s LH
15:05 – Competition Start - WC Men’s LH

08.12.2024
13:45 – Start Qualification - QUA WC Men LH
15:15 – Competition Start - WC Men’s LH

All times listed are CET (Central European Time) and are subject to change.

Facts And Figures - Wisla World Cup

•       The hill in Wisla is called the Adam Malysz Hill, named after the Polish local hero and four-time world champion.

•       Wisla (Poland) premiered as a World Cup host in 2013 and has been hosting ski-jumping World Cup events ever since.

•       Andreas Wellinger (GER) and Jan Hoerl (AUT) both claimed their first career win in an individual World Cup event in Wisla. Wellinger in January 2014, Hoerl in December 2021.

•       Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) won the Wisla World Cup in January 2024, finishing ahead of Stefan Kraft (AUT) and Andreas Wellinger (GER).