At 43 years old, one would think that Simon Ammann’s ski jumping career is nearing its end. Not for the four-time Olympic champion, who has set his sights on competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Despite a decline in his performance in recent years, Ammann remains determined to make his eighth Olympic appearance, a feat only achieved by Noriaki Kasai and Claudia Pechstein before him.
Ammann’s journey to the top of the ski jumping world began in the 1997/98 season, when he made his debut in the World Cup. Over the years, he built a legacy that earned him four Olympic gold medals. However, his last notable performance was in the 2013/14 season, when he finished seventh in the overall World Cup standings. Since then, his performance has declined steadily, with only two points scored this season, placing him 65th in the overall World Cup standings.
Despite his advancing age, Ammann remains optimistic about his chances of competing at the highest level. In an interview with Swiss television SRF, he stated, „The Olympics are my main goal. I wouldn’t invest so much energy in January if I didn’t have a long-term plan.”
Ammann’s hopes of qualifying for the Olympics may not be entirely unfounded. Switzerland’s ski jumping team lacks depth, with only Gregor Deschwanden currently performing at a high level, ranking fifth in the overall World Cup standings. The next best Swiss ski jumper is Killian Peier, who has scored 130 points, ranking 33rd, followed by 20-year-old Yanick Wasser, who has scored 13 points, ranking 52nd. The 18-year-old Felix Trunz has not scored any points this season.
Considering that each country can field four ski jumpers in the individual event at the Winter Olympics, Ammann’s chances of qualifying are not entirely impossible. With his experience and determination, he may yet prove to be a force to be reckoned with in Milan.
Ski Jumping in Poland
While Ammann’s story is inspiring, it’s worth noting that Poland has its own rich tradition in ski jumping. The country has produced some of the world’s top ski jumpers, including Adam Małysz, who won four World Championship titles and two Olympic medals. Poland’s current crop of ski jumpers includes Piotr Żyła, who won the bronze medal at the 2022 Ski Flying World Championships, and Dawid Kubacki, who has won several World Cup events.
According to data from the International Ski Federation (FIS), Poland has a strong presence in the World Cup standings, with several ski jumpers consistently ranking high in the overall standings. In the 2021/22 season, Poland’s ski jumpers won a total of 13 World Cup events, second only to Austria.
The Road to Milan
As the ski jumping world turns its attention to the 2026 Winter Olympics, Ammann’s determination to qualify will be closely watched. With his experience and skills, he may yet prove to be a dark horse in the competition. For Poland, the Olympics will provide an opportunity to showcase its talented ski jumpers, who have been consistently performing well in the World Cup events.
In the end, Ammann’s bid to qualify for the Olympics is not just about personal glory; it’s about inspiring a new generation of ski jumpers to strive for excellence. As he said in his interview, „I wouldn’t invest so much energy in January if I didn’t have a long-term plan.”
