It's All Up In The Air
Adam Malysz - Poland's ski-jumping ace - has flown into a farcical land dispute. The star jumper, who was the first fellow to win the World Cup three times in a row, bought a plot of land in Zakopane this year with the hope of building a house near the snow-surfing action.
However, not long after he had made the purchase, a clever chap told him that he was not actually allowed to build on this particular plot of land. Given that Malysz, also known as 'The Flying Moustache', is Poland's No. 1 sporting hero, this caused immense embarrassment to the town, which has profited from the star's winning performances during the World Cup. The town promptly offered Malysz a new piece of land in exchange for the dud, stressing that he would not have to pay for the second plot.
All's settled then. Well not quite. Unanimous approval doesn't come easy, and several officials are objecting to the plan. The dissenters argue that no such privilege has been granted before and that Malysz can afford to buy the second plot as well....
Mr. Malysz is currently jumping through the air in Villach, Austria, where the World Cup has just got underway.