– In the beginning it was the worst. We lived completely in uncertainty. Anything could happen. It was 50/50 whether she would survive or not, Dawid Kubacki tells news. He was clearly the best Polish jumper last season. Kubacki won most of the start. Double victory in Polish Wisla, victory in German Titisee-Neustadt, victory in Swiss Engelberg and second place in Hoppuka overall. It was mostly Kubacki, Slovenian Anze Lanisek and Halvor Egner Granerud who won everything. – It was my best season so far. I really enjoyed being in that three and fighting at the very highest level, says the Pole. THREE: Dawid Kubacki (left) and Anze Lanisek (right) carry Halvor Egner Granerud after he won the Hoppuka overall. Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP But during RawAir in Norway in March, everything took an abrupt turn for the world champion from 2019. The message came from a hospital in his home country. His wife was hospitalized and her condition was very serious. – At that time, sport became completely insignificant and neglected. It was an incredibly tough time for me, says Kubacki. Kept on putting up The former Austrian ski jumper, Thomas Thurnbichler (34), became head coach of the Polish national team before last season. It was he who had to give Kubacki the message in Norway. – It was tough. Because I got the information before him. We took him to the room and explained the situation. But we didn’t quite know what had happened. The only thing the hospital said was that it was very serious, says the coach to news. DIFFICULT JOB: The young Austrian coach, Thomas Thurnbichler (34), had to tell Kubacki about the serious news. Photo: Brede Bleiklie Thomassen / news Kubacki’s wife, Marta Kubacka, was hospitalized due to a life-threatening heart problem. – She was very unwell at the time. Her heart stopped four times. It was a very tough battle for the doctors who tried to save her, explains Kubacki. Kubacka survived the fight, but the consequences of the heart problems were great. – We learned that she had become paralyzed on one side, and that it was going to be very difficult to recover from that. And then I didn’t know if I could return to training, he says. PARENTS: Marta Kubacka and Dawid Kubacki have two daughters. Two-year-old Suzanna and here two-month-old Maja at the hospital in March. Photo: Privat/Instagram It was uncertain whether the 33-year-old could ever return to the ski jump. Because he also had two-year-old Zuzanna and two-month-old Maja to look after. He considered quitting. – Because I couldn’t have trained if I had to take care of her and our children at home. Then it would have been over, emphasizes Kubacki. – A strong lady The last showjumping race the Pole took part in last season was in Vikersund on 18 March. The following time he was in the hospital with his wife. – After a long time in the hospital, there came a moment that I really appreciated. We sat together and watched the last World Cup races. Things calmed down then and I needed that too for my mental state. Having something normal in life, he says and adds: – It wasn’t so normal for me to watch ski jumping on TV, but it was the closest I got, and that was enough. SUPPORT: Dawid Kubacki spent several weeks in hospital with his wife Marta Kubacka as she fought for her life. Photo: Privat/Instagram The rehabilitation went well, and Kubacki says that the wife is now able to take care of the children and lives a good life at home. – She has had an implantable defibrillator operated on, which takes care of the problem. So we live pretty much normally now. This has meant that Kubacki has slowly but surely been able to return to the national team and the ski jump. – I know that she should have had me at home all the time to feel safe. But she is a strong woman who manages to take care of everything. I really appreciate her for giving me the opportunity to continue competing, he emphasizes. Will win the World Cup The Polish profile says that the national team has made adjustments to be able to give him as optimal a start to the season as possible. But what has happened has changed the thinking of the Jumping Week winner from 2020. – If you have been through such a terrible experience, then you know that what happens on the ground is not the most important thing in the world. I do it, I love it and I want to be the best still. But after going through this, I feel less pressure, he explains. BACK: Dawid Kubacki ready for the start of the season in Finnish Ruka. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news Coach Thurnbichler says that he has great faith in his biggest star, also this season. – It is clear that his focus is not always on ski jumping. But this autumn he has worked very well. Dawid is in good physical shape now and has everything in place, says Thurnbichler. – There are still a lot of thoughts in my head. But I will take competition for competition, and I believe that it is only in this way that you can manage to get the opportunity to compete for the overall victory in the World Cup. That’s what it’s all about. – And maybe beat Granerud? – If you want to win the World Cup overall, then of course you have to do it, says Kubacki with a smile. On Saturday, he was number 21 in the season opener in Ruka.
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