Polish champion Wasek aims for World Cup podium in Zakopane, women compete for glory in Sapporo

One week after securing his career-first national title, Pawel Wasek (POL) hopes to continue his winning ways as he seeks his first World Cup podium as the men continue their season in Zakopane, Poland. On the women’s side, newly crowned national champion Nika Prevc (SLO) and World Cup leader Katharina Schmid (GER) are the top contenders in Sapporo (JPN).

A big weekend in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup is approaching. Twelve days after the conclusion of the Four Hills Tournament, the men continue their quest for the Crystal Globe in Zakopane.

While the Austrians - with Four Hills winner and current World Cup leader Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) – are the clear favorites for glory, Wasek hopes to shine in front of his home crowd.

Wasek hopes to battle for podium

The 25-year-old is currently in the form of his life and recently proved he can compete with the world’s best following a fifth place in Innsbruck, Austria, earlier this month. “I am aware that the best ones are not terribly far away,” Wasek told Polish media. “I will fight to catch them. I have been jumping well for a long time now and I feel great joy about it. That always helps. Besides that, I really like this hill. With the home crowd, I think we will achieve great results. We will fight for it”, he added.

Wasek will be joined by Polish teammates Aleksander Zniszczoł, Jakub Wolny, Dawid Kubacki and Kamil Stoch in Zakopane. Stoch returns to the national team having missed the Four Hills Tournament – the three-time Olympic champion opted to ‘focus on training’ during the last few weeks after a disappointing start to the World Cup campaign.

Tschofenig looking for fifth win this season

World Cup leader and Four Hills winner Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) is the man to beat in Zakopane as he looks for his fifth win of the season. He will face tough competition from teammates Jan Hoerl (AUT), runner-up in the World Cup ranking, and last year’s Crystal Globe winner Stefan Kraft (AUT).

Kraft, who won in Zakopane last year, has fond memories of the Wielka KrokiewhHill, where he won three times and landed in the top three six times in his career.

Other favorites include Pius Paschke (GER) and Gregor Deschwanden (SUI).

The men’s competition starts with the qualifications on Friday and the Large Hill team event taking place on Saturday. On Sunday, the ski jumpers will compete for individual World Cup glory.

Prevc and Schmid among the favourites for Sapporo

While the men take the stage in Zakopane, the women have settled in Sapporo, Japan, for their sixth World Cup event of the season. Newly crowned Slovenian national champion Nika Prevc looks to continue her fine form.

The Two Nights Tournament winner will face stiff competition from World Cup leader Katharina Schmid (GER). “I’m looking forward to the competition”, Schmid said. “I actually really like the hill out there, you’re able to fly and jump really well. I can’t wait to compete.” 

Prevc and Schmid have both won four World Cup events so far this season, the gap between the two being 66 points in the ranking. Selina Freitag (GER), Eva Pinkelnig (AUT) and Lisa Eder (AUT) follow at a great distance.

The European stars will face competition from the Japanese athletes competing on home snow seeking their first World Cup win of the season. The main contender is Yuki Ito (JPN), who topped the podium in Sapporo last year and is looking for back-to-back wins.

Facts and Figures

Women

•       Two individual events will take place in Sapporo, Japan, this weekend, with the women competing for glory on both Saturday and Sunday.

•       Nika Prevc (SLO) and Katharina Schmid (GER) both have four wins so far this season.

•       The difference between them in the World Cup ranking is 66 points.

•       Yuki Ito (JPN) won the event in Sapporo last year and is looking for back-to-back wins.

Men

•       After a weekend off, the field will reconvene in Zakopane (POL), with the Wielka Krokiew HS140 becoming the 10th different host hill to hold a men’s 2024/25 World Cup contest.

•       Zakopane premiered as a World Cup host in 1980.

•       The men compete in the Team Large Hill event on Saturday, with individual competition on Sunday.

•       Stefan Kraft (AUT) won the Zakopane World Cup in 2024.

•       Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) is the current World Cup leader and has a advantage of 40 points over teammate Jan Hoerl (AUT). Pius Paschke (GER) sits in third place.

•       Pius Paschke (GER) has won most World Cups so far this season: five, with Tschofenig on four.