It started with great jumps in training. Tomasiak was already at the forefront of the competition of players who came to fight for medals at the junior world championships and was the best of the Poles. It seemed that if he didn’t break anything, he could spin close to the podium.
“Coaches asked after the first jumps: Who is Tomasiak?”
In the first series of the competition, Tomasiak faced an important test of patience. He had great bad luck with the conditions, because these changed just before his attempt: it started to blow stronger at the back of the hill and the Pole waited for a long time on the beam for the green light. After 45 seconds, however, it appeared, and the 16-year-old took off. 92.5 meters in difficult conditions gave him third place before the final round and a chance to fight for the podium.
In the end, Tomasiak took fourth place and missed the medal by 2.8 points. However, this is an excellent result. – Kacper’s jumps here and where he ranked are probably a surprise for everyone. On the other hand, looking at the trainings and how he jumped there, it was clear that he was getting in shape and could reach a high level – says Daniel Kwiatkowski, coach of the Polish junior team to Sport.pl.
– He’s been jumping really well for a long time. Already at the FIS Cup competition in Notodden he was doing great and there he was only taken out of the top six by a fall. That’s why it may not be such a big surprise for us, but he can show his strengths on this hill. None of the other teams expected him to be so high. Coaches asked after the first jumps: Who is Tomasiak? Kwiatkowski laughs. We tell him that now he should have the answer ready: the fourth junior in the world.
He had dominated the country for months. “He was super dynamic”
Tomasiak is one of the greatest discoveries among young people in Polish ski jumping in recent years. As Paweł Borkowski quoted on Twitter, he dominated the competition in his year group (2007) and multiple victories in the Lotos Cup showed that if his career is properly managed, he should develop great.
– Kacper has been working with me for almost four years, and I’ve known him since he was a baby due to working together with his father Wojtek at the School of Sports Championship in Szczyrk – says Sławomir Hankus, the manager of Tomasiak in Szczyrk, to Sport.pl. – From the beginning he showed super dynamics on the hill, he uses it 100% and without calculation, which gives him an advantage over his rivals – he assesses.
“Huge potential.” This is how Tomasiak develops
What kind of player is Tomasiak? – Quiet, analytical, very clever and aware of the body, feeling the flight and the jump. It is very easy to work with, as long as the purpose of specific changes or tasks is well analysed. He works well with the trainer – points out Hankus. He reveals that the period of the greatest changes in the body and physical conditions of Tomasiak is behind him. This is important. – We experienced a sudden increase, but Kacper went through it quite early and at the moment he is rather stabilized in growth – the trainer assures.
– Kacper develops very linearly. He analyzes technique very well, learns quickly and can change elements every jump. Hence the ease of work. In addition, he has a great awareness of his value, and is extremely modest. It can be said that he has been jumping very well for some time, but due to his age he did not have the opportunity to show himself more widely. I hope that the result at the championships will be a door opener for him. Because the potential is huge, and even the disposition allows you to learn “higher” and look for experience – describes Hankus.
Tomasiak is the first such jumper from Schlierenzauer
Even he had no idea that his player could perform so well in Whistler. he mentioned that he hoped to get there for the junior world championships. But will he become the first player under the age of 18 since Gregor Schlierenzauer to finish in the top four at this event?
– By December, we had done a lot of work, mainly on flight and stability in the air. The first jumps in the snow were great. Starting in the FIS Cup in Nottoden showed that we are on the right track. I was very happy that he qualified for the championship, but honestly I did not expect such a jump. I was hoping that he could afford “20”, but not to fight for a medal – admits Sławomir Hankus.
What about a 16-year-old? “Maybe he’ll get a chance”
– Kacper shows calm, good driving. Although Kacper is a player in the junior team, due to age and differences in training, loads and goals, he trains under my supervision in SMS in Szczyrk. In addition, he has great support from parents who know how and what to do, not to push. And we have effects in the form of Kacper’s development – says Hankus.
What awaits Tomasiak after returning to Poland? “Maybe he’ll get a chance to prove himself.” We have several competitions in Poland: the FIS Cup in Szczyrk, and then combined with the Continental Cup in Zakopane. However, I would not prophesy any future goals at this moment. Calm work, gaining experience, getting around, and as you can see, Kacper will manage anywhere without any complexes – sums up the trainer. Now his jumper will fight with his colleagues from the team to bring a medal from Canada. The start of the team competition is scheduled for Saturday, February 4 at 21.30 Polish time.
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.
