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Lukasz Kruczek: "Every good result is important"
29 September 2016 года
Lukasz Kruczek: "Every good result is important"

After eight years as head coach in Poland, Lukasz Kruczek took on a difficult task this spring and became the new head coach of the Italian ski jumpers. After the first few months in the new job, he can now draw a positive balance. Ski jumpers from Italy are currently 4th, 5th and 7th in the overall ranking of the Continental Cup. The Italian team has never been that strong.

When Lukasz Kruczek took his new job as Italian head coach, he probably didn't exactly know what to expect. Italy is a developing country when it comes to ski jumping. The importance of the sport there is not nearly as high as it is in Poland, Germany, Norway or Austria. This means that also the budget is significantly lower than in the big nations in ski jumping.

But the athletes of Italy are still able to jump very well and they proved that especially this summer under their new head coach. After top results of Davide Bresadola, Alex Insam and Sebastian Colloredo, the Italians are currently the best team in the COC.

FIS Ski Jumping now spoke to Lukasz Kruczek about the recent success of his ski jumpers.

FIS Ski Jumping: Your team achieved top results in the Continental Cup in Wisla with one win and one third place. Your best athletes were in the Top 10 on both days. How important is such a success for you and the Italian team?

Lukasz Kruczek: Every good result is important for us, because it's a confirmation that we are on the right track. For the team it doesn't matter who is the best. Every good result, every podium finish is very important for us and gives everyone a positive feeling.

FIS Ski Jumping: It was remarkable that your three top athletes were in the Top 10. The level was very high. This means you have been working effectively, because it's really hard to be among the best.

Kruczek: Yes, this shows the trend. We were already jumping well in Stams a week earlier, even if we didn't achieve a podium result there. Before that, the best were not participating in the Continental Cup. Alex Insam was the only one competing and he also scored points there. It's a positive trend for us that when our best athletes are competing, they can always score points. This is not easy in the COC. It's only the second division in ski jumping, but many top athletes are participating and the level is pretty high. You can win on one day and finish only 20th on the next. That's why these results give us a positive feedback for our work.

FIS Ski Jumping: It must have been a special feeling for you to be that successful in Wisla, where you have been so often before.

Kruczek: Yes, I was there with a different team now and achieved a podium result again. This was a very good feeling.

FIS Ski Jumping: Your team will not compete in Hinzenbach now?

Kruczek: We will stick to our plan to focus on the COC. This is our goal for the summer and, in part, also for the winter. We have to do a good job in the Continental Cup first, then we can start thinking about the World Cup. We will compete in the COC final in Klingenthal and then the two best athletes will also take part in the final event of the Grand Prix there.

FIS Ski Jumping: We wish you all the best and are looking forward to seeing you in Klingenthal!

Source: fis-ski.com




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