To say that Poland’s Adam Cieslar has had his brushes
with bad luck is probably an understatement. After
being slowed down by a collarbone fracture during
the last summer, the 21-year-old from Istebna sustained
the same injury this year - and even in the same
way! For TUESDAY TALK, he reflects on his bad luck,
his eventful last season and the situation of Nordic
Combined in Poland.
The most important question first: how are you doing
after your training accident at Spala? What happened
and when will you be able to get fully back into
training?
Adam Cieslar: I had a fall during training on the
mountain bike and broke my collarbone. Exactly the
same thing that happened to me last year. But slowly,
everything is returning to normal right now. I am
starting to train normally and I will return to
the hills this month.
As you mentioned, you already broke your collarbone
last year. Are you the team’s unlucky fellow?
Cieslar: I think so! (laughs) I was also plagued
with knee problems before and now this second time
with my clavicle!
But back to happy memories: you represented your
country at the Olympics in Sochi in the last season
as the only Polish Nordic Combined athlete. How
was the experience?
Cieslar: I am so glad I was able to take part in
the Olympics! It was a great experience. Though
I wasn’t totally pleased with the my results, I
have to admit. I expected more from myself.
One thing you probably were quite satisfied with
was the Universiade in Trentino where you achieved
two victories and one second place in the individual
competitions and the team event. A perfect weekend
for you?
Cieslar: Coming there, I was hoping for one medal
and I went home with three of them! For me, it was
such a happy moment, it really gave me a boost of
confidence and motivation for training!
Andrzej Gasienica, one of your teammates, left for
special jumping before this season. How keenly do
you feel his loss in the team?
Cieslar: Andrzej has been in between Nordic Combined
and Ski Jumping for some time and now decided to
just do it and and try to find success in jumping.
It is certainly a loss because he was one of the
best in our team. I do wish him all the best in
ski jumping!
Would you still say that Nordic Combined in general
is on the rise in Poland?
Cieslar: In Poland, there are not so many athletes
who want to train for Nordic Combined, it’s rather
that sports like ski jumping are on a very high
level in our country. The combination of two disciplines
is a big job and requires a lot of work. But I think
that we’re beginning to grow and when we’re able
to show some good results, it will continue to grow,
step by step.
What are your goals for the upcoming summer and
winter?
Cieslar: I will take it a bit easy until August
due to my injury and not take part in any competitions
over the summer. I will prepare, of course, but
rather not make very concrete plans as of now. In
winter, the main event for me will be the World
Championships in Falun. I have set myself a goal
of claiming a place in the Top 30.
