Daniel-André Tande Bids Farewell to Ski Jumping

Daniel-André Tande Bids Farewell to Ski Jumping

Daniel-André Tande's story is one of contrasts—an Olympic ski jumping champion who grappled with a fear of heights. Yet, he soared through the air, repeatedly defying gravity, until a tragic fall altered his life’s trajectory. Now, the time has come for him to retire from the sport.

Recently, Tande stood before the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo, dressed in jeans and a shirt instead of his usual competition suit. This was the same jump he had conquered countless times, each ascent proving to be a mental and physical challenge. In his career, he achieved remarkable feats, including a distance of 243.5 meters and securing gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics as well as four World Championships—three with the team and one individually.

However, Tande no longer finds the thrill of achievement appealing. He has reflected on his experiences and concluded, "I've realized that jumping causes me more anxiety than joy. I’ve always said that when I reach this point, it’s time to say goodbye."

The anxiety Tande describes isn't rooted in fear of heights; rather, it's a lingering unease from a severe accident he suffered during a trial round in Slovenia in 2021. He lost control and crashed onto the slope, an incident that sent shockwaves through the ski jumping community.

Medical professionals rushed to the scene and later revealed they had to "mechanically ventilate" him. After a harrowing 19 days in the hospital, Tande was finally discharged. His resilience shone through as he attempted to return to the jump, a familiar journey he had taken after recovering from a severe illness in 2018.

That illness was Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a potentially fatal skin condition that led to painful inflammation and respiratory issues. Tande candidly shared with "Der Spiegel" his terrifying experience: "I thought for a moment that I was going to die."

Though he triumphed over these life-threatening challenges, the scars of anxiety remained. Tande admits, "I am still struggling with the after-effects of my fall in Planica in 2021."

However, Tande’s spirit was reignited in March 2022, less than a year after the accident, when he achieved an unexpected victory—jumping farther than any other competitor to win the World Cup at Holmenkollen. Norway's ski jumping sports director, Clas Brede Braathen, remarked, "You couldn’t script it; it’s too beautiful to be true."

This victory took Tande by surprise, declaring, "Winning at home at Kollen—it doesn’t get any better than this." Yet, in the backdrop of this success, he sensed an end was near.

As he reflects on his legacy ahead of the upcoming Nordic ski World Championships in Trondheim, where new champions will emerge, Tande looks forward to a different chapter in his life. "I am really looking forward to starting a new chapter," he shared, leaving the world of professional ski jumping behind him.

Tags: Ski jumping, retirement, Daniel-André Tande