Skiing Legend Reflects on Retirement Decision

Skiing Legend Reflects on Retirement Decision

Norwegian ski jumping Olympic champion Daniel-André Tande opened up in a heartfelt interview about the impact of his harrowing fall in 2021 and the difficult decision to retire from the sport at just 30 years old.

Tande has announced his retirement effective immediately, attributing it to the lingering consequences of his accident. He candidly shared, "I still struggle with the residual effects of my fall in Planica in 2021. I have come to realize that jumping now causes me more fear than joy. I always said that when I reach such a point, it's time to say goodbye."

Following a serious crash during the Flight World Cup, Tande endured an extended recovery, including time spent in an artificial coma.

A Psychological Hurdle Too Great to Surmount

In his interview with NRK, Tande conveyed that a psychological barrier has proven insurmountable since the accident. "Of course, I was extremely affected. Over the last few years, I’ve felt like there’s a handbrake. I thought I could overcome it, but instead, the blockage has gotten worse," he confessed, his voice breaking as he reflected on his journey.

As he spoke, Tande paused several times, his eyes welling with tears when reminiscing about his victory at Holmenkollen. "I remember a lot of it. It’s the achievement I value most in my career," he expressed emotionally. In 2022, Tande marked a remarkable return by winning the Raw Air competition at Holmenkollen.

The Ramp: A Place of Mixed Emotions

Describing the grim reality of his training, Tande shared how his body would stiffen and fear would seize him while preparing on the 90-meter ramp in Lillehammer. At that moment, he knew retirement was inevitable. The ramp, he described as both a sanctuary and a constant throughout his life.

"The ramp meant a lot to me. It has been both a refuge and the greatest source of joy throughout my life. Even in tough times, training on the ramp still brought me happiness. Some of my greatest joy came from there," Tande reminisced.

Heartbreaking Near-Miss at the Tour

The 30-year-old skied to Olympic gold with the Norwegian team in Pyeongchang in 2018 and achieved more major successes in ski flying: he became the individual world champion in Oberstdorf that same year and won three team gold medals.

However, Tande faced an agonizing disappointment in the 2016/17 Four Hills Tournament, where he missed out on the overall victory when the binding on his right ski released during the final jump of the last round.