On January 28, 2021, on the day of the qualification and the mixed doubles competition in Willingen, the Poles pulled an ace out of their sleeve. It seemed that in a season in which nothing went well, the team was plunged into the biggest crisis in years, and the Olympic Games were getting closer and closer, nothing positive would happen. And yet. made them fly right away, they had outstanding results on the Muehlenkopfschanze.
After returning to the hotel, it turned out that the coach of German ski jumpers, Stefan Horngacher, noticed the Polish novelty and threatened to protest it, claiming that it was against the rules. He did it a day later and caused Stefan Hula and Piotr ¯y³ê to be disqualified for shoes. Several dozen minutes later, the then equipment controller, Mika Jukkara, confirmed to Sport.pl that he would not allow the use of them at the Olympic Games in Beijing. It began – quarrels with the International Ski Federation (FIS), accusations against the Germans, who also had their ears behind their ears, and after all, the spring equipment committees, where new regulations were approved, which already included Polish boots. It was established that after several changes .
FIS may again deprive Polish jumpers of revolutionary shoes. There was a special meeting
A year has passed since the now famous Willingen situation and the subject of Polish shoes has not disappeared. In the fall at the FIS commission in Zurich on their case. The FIS did not want to approve it for the same reason as before the Poles – they were not reported in the spring, before setting the rules for the new season. However, the Austrian began to accuse the new Polish staff of making corrections to his own model and demanded a ban on the use of this equipment again. The discussion started by Horngacher led the FIS to a conclusion that may have pleased him: although his copy of Nagaba boots was not approved, he achieved an intermediate goal. The activists admitted that they would be moving towards a complete exclusion from the use of shoes containing asymmetric structures. Such as the curved back wall of Polish shoes.
For the next few weeks, little happened in the matter, but the FIS did not change its announcements, and the tone of what the federation was planning remained very negative. On Wednesday, January 25, the first meeting of representatives of manufacturers of shoes for jumpers with FIS took place after a long break. There was a discussion about the asymmetry of shoes and whether it was worth going in this direction. There were no specifics – a decision or a date by which it should appear – however, there were no. Only another meeting was announced. This is a surprise, because in Poland it was expected that January would bring FIS presentation of the direction in which the development of shoes is to go. And that’s what was missing.
It is doubtful that the FIS is still considering what decision to make. It’s more about its character – is it supposed to be sudden or maybe more future-oriented? The federation will probably opt for the first option, and Nagaba and other manufacturers for the second. They would like time to make changes. Therefore, it is best for the FIS decision to take effect not from the 2023/2024 season, but only from the next one. However, the activists want to get rid of the problem as soon as possible, which they consider the issue of asymmetric elements of shoes for jumpers. They do not see a future for the development of hardware jumps in this, but only a threat and controversy. It’s a pity, because Nagaba and the Polish staff had a plan to continue this direction of equipment development. The revolution was just getting started.
Polish shoe manufacturer: This is not a dangerous and wrong direction
– This is not a good direction for the discipline – says Ewa Nagaba, the owner of a company producing shoes, about the possible decision of FIS. – FIS wants to make a decision very late. We will realistically have a few months to make changes before the next season, which is very little. Of course, knowing the intentions of the activists, we were somehow preparing for what was to come. The development of the revolutionary shoe was not so dynamic, it slowed down. We felt it subcutaneously and we could not afford too much loss – he estimates.
We’re stuck, we don’t know what to do. We want this decision as soon as possible to know how to plan everything: either development or a complete stop of production and how to introduce changes. Players also often wonder whether to switch to newer and different solutions, because nothing in our situation is certain – adds Nagaba.
– We are partially prepared for every scenario so that nothing surprises us, but we would like to develop asymmetry in the shoe, because it is not a dangerous and wrong direction. You have to look at the complete set of equipment: bindings, skis and even a suit. We will accept the decision to maintain symmetry, but we are not on its side, Nagaba assures.
What is the current contact between equipment manufacturers and FIS persons dealing with equipment? There’s basically no dialogue here. Many questions, few answers. After last year’s commission in Planica in the spring, everything was to change, to improve. And it has changed, but we have the impression that for the worse – points out Ewa Nagaba. – We learn most things from someone else, from the staff or even from the media. For example, about how the autumn commission proceeded, because we were not there – he explains.
Hafele on the case of Polish shoes: Hasty decisions can have fatal consequences
What does the assistant coach of Thomas Thurnbichler, Mathias Hafele, responsible for preparing the equipment for Polish jumpers, think about the case? – I think everyone is open to innovation in equipment, including in shoes for jumpers, but there are some things to consider. The transition from bounce to flight is the most dangerous moment during the jump. However, it has become much safer with the development of shoes. Therefore, sudden, quick and hasty decisions can have fatal consequences. You have to give the players time to work through and familiarize themselves with the new equipment. Jumpers shoes are adapted to each of them and made to order. There are very few companies that create them, so it takes a long time to fully equip entire staff with new equipment. And changes in this system need even more of it – says the Austrian.
“We see a great supplier of our shoes in Nagaba and we are prepared for the future. At the same time, I hope and assume that the FIS will not make a decision on this matter quickly and will take the necessary steps towards development and testing in such a delicate and sensitive area of jumping equipment – says Hafele in an interview with Sport.pl.
“It’s a waste of money for something that will only last a year”
How does Nagaba cooperate with the new staff of the Polish jumpers team? – At the beginning we worked mainly with Maciek Maciusiak and Adam Małysz. The new staff, as soon as it appeared, surprised us very positively. They themselves took the initiative to come to the place, check how everything looks like in our company. We already knew Mathias Hafele from cooperation with the team of Austrian ski jumpers, we were very happy with his presence, because we know how he works. He has a lot of knowledge, and the footwear one did not overwhelm him – he describes.
– The response to our actions and ideas in the staff has been very positive. Perhaps the changes we make are not visible, some things go unnoticed. Because for now, these are changes that require a lot of effort, but there is no “wow” effect, they are not so visible on the outside. However, some players have already told us and come specially to do certain things for them. We are waiting to see what the FIS will tell us. At the end of the season, and preferably as soon as possible, we would like to know which way to go. It’s a waste of money for something that will last only for a year – says Ewa Nagaba.
More information about Polish shoes can be expected in a few weeks. Most discussions about the equipment before the spring meetings of the FIS committee, where the regulations for the next season are already approved, take place around the most important event of the season. In this case, it is about the world championships in Planica, and these are scheduled for February 22 – March 4.
Source: Sport.PL
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
