The FIS World Ski Jumping Cup 2009 Teeth-chattering temperatures may be the norm in Polska at this time of year, but come mid-January and Zakopane will be hosting a sports extravaganza with all the spirit of a Creole carnival. The reason...? A brave band of athletes will be strapping some boards to their feet in an attempt to make themselves airborne. It takes years to hone such sky-surfing skills, and you can bet that these alpine prodigies were skiing like stars before they could wipe their own bottoms. In short, respect is due. And from 15th January, the Polish leg of this worldwide event will be bringing some sporting zip to Zakopane.
The Poles love the ski jumping larks, and you can count on a rumbustious atmosphere both beneath the jump and in the bars afterwards. This year, the question on everyones lips concerns a slight young fellow by the name of Adam Malysz - aka The Flying Moustache, aka The Polish Batman. Mr Malysz is the greatest Polish sporting sensation of the last decade. He's won medals left, right and centre, and in 2007 he became the first ski-jumper in history to win four world cup victories. 2008 wasn't such a success - but Malysz has been down before. Will he come back a second time...?
15th: Thursday is very much the calm before the storm, with a team captains meeting at midday, followed by training and the official qualifications at 5 pm.
16th: Today the contest begins in earnest, with the jumps starting at 4.30 pm.
17th: The action continues, 4.30pm being the kick off time as per yesterday.
when - 15th - 17th January
where - Zakopane
more info - click here |
