European Games. Kamil Stoch: I treat the start as a challenge

The white and red ski jumpers have been grinding their form for the new season for several weeks. The team led by coach Thomas Thurnbichler has already completed preparatory camps in Spała and Stockholm. Team members traditionally take care of their disposition also in Zakopane, the capital of Polish ski jumping. Here, on the local Wielka and Średnia Krokiew, they will take part in the 3rd European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023. For ski jumpers, this will be the premiere participation in this event. If only because of the status of the host of the event, our players declare their readiness to fight for the highest places during the Games.

“The rank of these competitions obliges. In addition, they are held in our country, in the capital of ski jumping, in Zakopane. It will certainly be a great celebration for the fans. Zakopane is the kingdom of jumping, in addition, it can be perfect weather and holidays, what more could you want? “I will give my best. I always want to win, win medals, or actually be the best and win. However, I am aware of the stage of preparation we are at. There is no denying that the Games jumped unexpectedly into the middle of our preparations. To put it simply: us it was a bit of a surprise. The turn of June and July is the middle of preparations. This is a period of getting into good technique, looking for the right jumping rhythm, combining strong motor training with technique. But, as the classic says, if you need it, you need it and there are no excuses here We have to do everything we know how best we can and fight for medals” – said Kamil Stoch.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist is also doing well on plastic matting. The 36-year-old jumper from Zakopane in 2011-2012 and in 2020 was second in the general classification of the Summer Grand Prix, and in 2016 and 2022 he was third.

Stoch, the most successful competitor in the history of Polish ski jumping, does not want to declare a fight for medals during the 3rd European Games. As one of our staff leaders admits, the main reason for this approach is the specific moment of preparation.

“I do not focus on the result itself, and even more so on winning medals. Of course, I will treat it as a kind of challenge. But above all, I will focus on specific work, on specific task goals that I will have to achieve. What result it will bring me, it’s time will tell. Let them be distant jumps that please the eye of the fan” – noted the jumper of KS Eve-nement Zakopane.

Stoch, a native of Zakopane, appreciates the training conditions in his hometown. The 36-year-old and his friends are annual guests of the Central Sports Center – Olympic Preparation Center in Zakopane.

“Zakopane is absolutely one of the best places in the world for training or competition. There is everything we need here, and the world envies us such facilities. I am very happy that huge progress has been made in the last few years. of the highest world level. We have one of the most modern facilities. And when it comes to ski jumping, more facilities are growing. I am glad that, living in Zakopane, I have the opportunity to train on such great infrastructure and thanks to this I can improve my skills. successors have a place to train and train – added Stoch.

Recently, Średnia Krokiew, one of the two ski jumping arenas during the Olympics, has been modernized. Located in COS-OPO Zakopane, the facility will be equipped with a stand that can accommodate slightly more than 2,000 spectators.

“The works are already on the final stretch. At the end of May, the first structures arrived at the stand with 1,500 seats, where all the seats will be in white and red colors. They will be complemented by another 500 mobile seats on a steel structure adapted to the terrain, the use of which will depend on the needs. Ultimately, these 500 seats are also to be used for the World Cup competition on Wielka Krokiew” – said Sebastian Danikiewicz, director of COS-OPO in Zakopane. The estimated cost of building the new stand is approximately PLN 3.5 million.

The premiere competition of ski jumpers and female ski jumpers during the 3rd European Games will take place from June 27 to July 1.

(PAP)