Road with Adam Małysz
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Adam Małysz’s Journey. What Is Your Memory?
The road behind this story begins in Zakopane, at the foot of Wielka Krokiew – one of the most important venues in the history of Polish ski jumping – and ends 130 kilometres away in Wisła, where Adam Małysz made his very first jump. By car, the journey takes around two and a half hours. His sporting journey took considerably longer. Over nearly three decades, a boy from Wisła became one of Poland’s greatest sporting icons and helped ski jumping gain unprecedented popularity across the country.
Today, we want to bring those emotions back. Continental invites you to take part in a special competition. Share a memory connected with Adam Małysz’s sporting career for a chance to win a unique prize: a meeting with the legend himself. The winner will spend a day with Adam Małysz in Wisła.
Wspomnienia, które zapisały się w historii polskiego sportu
Do you remember cheering at the foot of the ski jump, his Olympic medals, or one of those jumps that had the whole of Poland holding its breath? Follow Adam’s sporting journey with us – and you may find your own memories coming back along the way.
In the Champion’s Footsteps
It all began on the K-17 ski jump in Wisła Centrum. In 1983, six-year-old Adam made his first jump here. He landed at seven metres – wearing nothing but socks on his feet because the boots he had borrowed were too big. Today, the Wisła Centrum HS-10/20/40 ski jumping complex stands on the site of the old hill, on Kolejowa Street.
From Skis to Rally Cars
Adam Małysz ended his ski jumping career in 2011, but he wasn’t ready to give up speed. He swapped his skis for a rally car, and his new sporting journey eventually took him to the start line of the Dakar Rally. The discipline changed, but his approach to equipment did not. As Adam himself points out, safety, precision and complete control of the car matter to him above all when he is behind the wheel. For the past two years, Continental has been part of this journey. Adam uses the brand’s tyres in his everyday driving and relies on them when driving the Catcher Car at the Poznań edition of the Wings for Life World Run.
In the Champion’s Footsteps
Adam’s greatest achievements are already legendary: four Olympic medals, four individual World Championship titles, 39 World Cup victories and four Crystal Globes for winning the overall World Cup. Then came his triumph in the 2000/2001 Four Hills Tournament. Poland caught ski jumping fever, and Małyszmania swept the country. Perhaps that’s where your own memories begin: watching a competition with your family, getting your first autograph or witnessing an unforgettable jump? Those are the stories we’re looking for. You can also explore Adam’s story at the Beskid Ski Centre on Bulwar Księżycowy in Wisła. It is Poland’s first winter sports museum of this scale, bringing together trophies won by Polish champions. Visitors can try their hand at ski jumping and downhill skiing simulators, or even become a judge and score a competitor.
In 2008, the rebuilt ski jump in Wisła-Malinka was named after Adam Małysz. Adam himself made the first jump on the new hill. Located around 5 km from the centre of Wisła, the venue is open to visitors all year round.
Wisła Through Adam’s Eyes
Everyone has their own memory of Adam Małysz. And Adam has his own Wisła – the places he returns to when he wants to relax, enjoy something good to eat or simply spend some time close to nature. The winner of the competition will have a chance to discover this side of Wisła for themselves.
One of Adam’s favourite places to visit is PrzyStań Jonidło, where you can settle into a deckchair and simply unwind. Close by, there are around 900 metres of trails – used by cross-country skiers in winter and by roller skiers and inline skaters in summer. For lunch, Adam heads to Pizzeria Belweder & Polish BBQ Mafia, while coffee and something sweet call for a visit to Magdalenka Słodki Przystanek in Wisła.
W stronę natury i beskidzkich szlaków
When Adam wants to get away from it all and spend some time in nature, he takes a walk to Trzy Kopce Wiślańskie (810 m above sea level). The summit lies where Wisła, Ustroń and Brenna meet, and can be reached from the town centre via the yellow hiking trail. The route isn’t particularly demanding and takes around two hours to reach the top, with views of the Beskid peaks along the way.
Trip details
Contest!
Which moment from his sporting career has stayed with you? Share your most memorable story – and perhaps your next one will be made when you meet Adam Małysz.
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The path to building strong position on the Polish market
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