The Nordic Ski World Cup season will begin on November 20 in Lillehammer, Norway, with Polish skier Kacper Tomasiak emerging as a focal point following a notable training performance. Wojciech Fortuna, an Olympic champion, expressed confidence in Tomasiak’s potential, stating, “Już w tym sezonie Tomasiak włączy się do walki o najwyższe cele w Pucharze Świata.”
Tomasiak’s upcoming schedule includes the Polish Championships in Zakopane (October 16-17) and the Summer Grand Prix in Klingenthal (October 24-25). Fortuna emphasized that maintaining peak form is critical ahead of the World Cup, noting, “Do rozpoczęcia sezonu został miesiąc i przez ten czas wysokiej formy nie da się tak łatwo stracić.” The skier’s recent success, including Olympic medals, has positioned him as a key figure for Polish ski jumping.
Training Performance Sparks Optimism
Tomasiak’s 140-meter training jump, reported by Interia Sport, highlighted his readiness for the upcoming season. Fortuna, who has closely followed Tomasiak’s career, praised the skier’s growth, stating, “Kacper wygra jeszcze tyle medali i trofeów, że stanie się najbardziej utytułowanym skoczkiem w Polsce.” The skier’s ability to consistently perform at high levels has bolstered expectations for his World Cup debut.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/10/13/image-5e05d722-7f4c-4b44-89b5-656c93d02429-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Photo: Eurosport Polska")
World Cup Begins in Lillehammer
The season’s opening event in Lillehammer is a crucial moment for Tomasiak and his teammates. The Polish team has been preparing intensively on artificial snow tracks, with plans to compete in multiple domestic and international events before the World Cup.
Russian Athletes Allowed Under Neutral Status
Alongside Klimow, four other Russian skiers—Ilji Mańkow, Michaił Nazarow, Konstantin Nikołajew, and Danił Sadriejew—have been permitted to compete. The FIS decision requires these athletes to participate as neutrals, without national emblems or anthems, and exclusively as individuals. Meanwhile, Aleksandr Bolszunow, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, faces scrutiny over potential ties to the Russian military, with FIS demanding additional documents to verify his neutrality. Despite these challenges, Bolszunow has submitted the required paperwork, though his eligibility remains uncertain.
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