It's party time in Poland: local hero Adam Malysz is in wing-flapping form as the World Cup circuit comes home to nest at Zakopane!
Adam Malysz, the Polish Eagle, took the first ski-flying event of the season a fortnight ago in Bad Mitterndorf after expert glides of 207 and 209.5 metres.
In doing so, Malysz became only the second man to win more than one World Cup competition this season.
Ok, that 'other' was Janne Ahonen, and that this other now holds a staggering 12 wins from 16 events is another matter, but we'll not dwell on that. This weekend the focus is on Malysz.
Speaking after his Bad Mitterndorf victory, the Pole told Eurosport that he was really pleased with his form, but that, on the other hand, he was feeling the pressure ahead of his home fixture.
"I think I put in a really good performance today. But right now I might be too motivated. When I go to Zakopane everybody will now be expecting me to do really well, all the fans and everyone else."
All the fans? Just how many are we talking? Ahem... There will be 40,000 alone in the stands on the foot of the hill, not to mention the millions tuned into live TV coverage of the 70s throw-back national icon.
THE VENUE
The Wielka Krokiew ski-jumping hill at Zakopane is surely one of the most beautiful facilities of this kind in the world.
To start with, it is one of the few natural jumping hills that exist, settled in the forest sheltering it from sudden gusts of wind.
Originally, the first (rather small) 30-metre jumping hill in Zakopane was situated in Dolina Jaworzynki near Kuęnice. However, the people of the town realised a need for a better and a bigger one.
You see, towns and villages in Poland are not judged by their community-hall, their public swimming pool or transport system, or even the flower displays in their suburban round-abouts... No, in Poland it is all about the length of your ski jumping facilities.
The designers of the Wielka Krokiew hill were the renowned engineers Karol Stryjenski and Szwed Sellstroem, of Poland and Sweden respectively.
The construction of the hill began in 1923 and lasted for 2 years. The hill was used for the first time in professional competition on 22nd March 1925.
The initial longest jump was, compared to today's standards, a mere fluster of 36 metres, but it was indeed a landmark occasion for Poland. The record, set by Stanislaw Gŕsienica-Sieczka from the local club of O.N. ”Sokól” Zakopane, became, interestingly enough, the first Polish national record ever.
RECORDS GALORE
Later, jumps of 50, 60 and finally of 100 metres were slapped out at the beginning of the 60s.
Things have come on along way since the ski-jumping dark ages of 60-metre jumps, and the hill record now lies with Germany's Sven Hannawald who, on 18 January 2003, soared a full 140 metres through the fine Polish air to find his way into Mr Guiness' legendary book.
The record he broke (of 136.5 metres) was a mere few months old, and set by none other than the "Flying Moustache" Malysz himself.
Malysz lost out to the German pterodactyl Hannavald that year, but had beaten his counterpart in 2002.
Last year Malysz finished second twice, behind Michael Uhrmann on one occasion and Martin Hoellwarth on the other (and by a painful 0.3 points!).
It is clear that our mustachioed man-plane would love to end his three-year losing streak at home in Zakopane.
"I just want to jump really well and have a good competition," Malysz told us, remaining surprisingly coy. Careful Adam, you're in danger of sounding as indifferent, mirthless and deadpan as Janne Ahonen...
ZAKOPANE THE REFERENCE
Out of all Polish ski resorts, Zakopane is by far the most famous. Located south of the delightful city of Krakow, in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Slovakia, Zakopane is the reference point, the authority, the measure stick of Polish winter.
All Polish daily newspapers report when the first November snow appears there, and although Zakopane is a small town, it is a real communication hub.
The most well-known street is Krupowki - the town's thoroughfare and promenade. Architecturally, you will spot traditional "Zakopane" architecture, pioneered by Stanislaw Witkiewicz, along with Art Nouveau buildings.
With its highly decorative folk costumes and ever-present goralska muzyka (Highland music), socially it is a place where all can accidentally meet in the evening.
Indeed, there's a good chance that you might even bump into Messrs Malysz and Ahonen, not to mention Janda, Ito and Widhoelzl, if you are moping around this weekend!
PREDICTIONS
You can never discount Janne Ahonen, but the Finn was decisively off-the-beat last weekend at Titisee-Neustadt. He might have won on Saturday, but on Sunday he finished out off the podium for the first time this season, back in lowly seventh.
This deterioration I had predicted, but what I did oversee was the performance of the Czech Republic's Jakub Janda, who became, on Sunday, his nation's first WC winner since 1994.
Janda will be full of confidence, and there is no reason to discount him becoming the third person to net more than one event this year (after Malysz's two victories, and Ahonen's 12).
But Martin Hoellwarth, winner in Bishofchofen, will be back in the mix after a poor weekend in Germany, as will Norway's Roar Ljoekelsoey.
But, of course, Malysz should be the man to watch in his own back yard. With the home fans, his recent form, and Ahonen's dip, expect the Pole to take one of the weekend's events.
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