The World Cup season for ski jumpers and jumpers will begin this week with the opening event of the FIS Grand Prix in Wisła, Poland. Eleven Slovenian athletes are set to compete at the large hill facility known as Malinka, named after local champion Adam Malysz. The competition will take place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, featuring the top male and female jumpers on plastic jumps. Among the participants will be Nika Vodan, who has maintained her high level of preparation and is expected to perform well in her debut of the summer season. The event marks the start of the new season under the FIS umbrella, continuing a tradition that sees the Grand Prix serve as the equivalent of the World Cup for winter months. This year's opening event in Wisła will see the participation of eleven Slovenians, including both Nika Prevc and her brother Dom Prevc, although neither will be competing in the initial rounds due to strategic decisions made by the national team coach. Instead, other athletes such as Taja Bodlaj, Ema Klinec, Katra Komar, Ajda Košnjek, Maja Kovačič, and Nika Vodan will have the opportunity to showcase their skills. The Slovenian women’s team head coach, Jurij Tepeš, has outlined his expectations for the upcoming competitions. He emphasized that while both Nika Vodan and Nika Prevc are firmly positioned within the elite group, the rest of the team members are currently on the edge of qualification. As a result, the decision was made for Nika Prevc to skip the initial rounds, allowing other athletes to gain experience and points. This move aims to ensure that Slovenia maintains a presence in the top five spots on the world rankings, which will determine the number of athletes participating in subsequent events. Tepeš expressed confidence in the readiness of his athletes based on their training sessions. He highlighted that Nika Vodan has been performing exceptionally well, with Katra Komar also showing promise. However, he cautioned against placing too much pressure on Komar, hoping she can deliver her best performances during competitions. Ema Klinec is another athlete expected to contribute significantly, with hopes that she can return to her previous form alongside Nika Vodan. In addition to the main competitors, there are updates regarding some athletes' recovery processes. Taja Bodlaj, who underwent surgery last year, continues her rehabilitation according to a tailored program. Meanwhile, young talent Tine Erzar, who suffered from an aneurysmal bone cyst in her cervical spine, has started therapy and is progressing positively. She recently began wearing a neck brace, indicating a gradual return to normal life and potential future participation in competitions. The Slovenian team will arrive in Wisła on Friday for a free practice session and equipment checks. They will also adjust to new competition uniforms, which they hope will not cause any issues. The team's focus is on maintaining health and avoiding injuries, a goal that Tepeš reiterated as crucial for the upcoming season. With these preparations in place, the athletes are ready to face the challenges ahead and make their mark in the FIS Grand Prix.
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