Enlarge image
Kamil Stoch is down on this tour
Photo: TOMASZ MARKOWSKI / imago images / Newspix
The touring fiasco with the frustrating low point in Innsbruck triggered unusual emotions for Kamil Stoch.
"I have tears in my eyes and my heart is bleeding," said the Polish ski jumping hero before his early return home on Tuesday.
The defending champion got out early for the first time in his long and successful career at the Four Hills Tournament, at the 17th start.
"He will return to the hill after he has recovered mentally and physically," wrote the national ski association PZN after a crisis meeting of the coaching staff on Monday evening.
Previously, Stoch had brutally crashed in qualifying on the tricky Bergisel on rank 59, it was the last of several setbacks in the past few days.
In Oberstdorf (41st) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (47th), Stoch also flew after his great ambitions and even missed World Cup points.
"I have no idea"
Why is it, especially since the 34-year-old jumped on the podium less than a month ago in Klingenthal?
"Honestly?
I have no idea, ”Stoch told the Onet Sport portal.
In ski jumping everything can turn 180 degrees from jump to jump.
He wanted to fight, affirmed the three-time Olympic champion, "maybe even too much".
Now for Stoch, who won the tour for the third time last winter, some rest and a few training units are on the program.
The glorious years of touring victories, two years ago Dawid Kubacki, who was also weak in shape, triumphed, are definitely over for the Polish team.
There is still just under a month left before the winter games in Beijing (February 4th to 20th) bring about the 180 degree turnaround.
Stoch remained optimistic: "It is impossible for me to forget how to jump well."
aha / sid
