– I laugh before it starts, you know. That’s what Daniel André Tande says when he meets news, for the last time as a professional ski jumper. For now, a rich jumping career is over. The 30-year-old sets up as a ski jumper and will not be seen on the start list this winter. The reason is largely the traumatic event that happened just over three years ago. He fell badly during a test round in Planica in 2021, and it was all very dramatic for several days. He was in an artificial coma for several days, and it was uncertain whether he would be able to ski again. Several of his relatives feared he would lose his life. He nevertheless fought back and in 2022 he took a surprising victory in the Raw Air competition in Holmenkollen. – It is … Yes. It was less than a year after I tried in Planica. Getting back again was quite a big deal, says a clearly affected Tande. – Did you think it was possible? – You like to say that you thought so, but realistically I probably thought that this was not possible. But of course I have lived in the hope of getting back in good old shape. IMPRESSED: A crying Daniel-André Tande meets news in Holmenkollen. Photo: Glenn Aaseby / news – Was extremely affected Nevertheless, he admits that it affects his decision. – The barrier that I have received after Planica is a bit too big for me to perform at the level I know I have. The fear has become greater than the joy of jumping on skis, says Tande. He says that it is a block that he simply cannot get rid of. – Of course I was extremely affected. I have noticed over the last few seasons that there is a hand break there. But I have thought that I could get rid of it, but it has gone the opposite way. It has gradually gotten worse and worse, admits Tande. In the interview with news, he has to take several breath breaks and is choked with tears when he sees the triumph from Holmenkollen. – I remember quite a lot of that, actually. It is quickly the achievement I value most in my career. TRIUMPH: Daniel-André Tande is celebrated here after his victory in Holmenkollen in 2022. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB Body froze in training He says that he felt his body stiffen and that fear reached his body even on a hill of 90 meters in Lillehammer. Then he realized it was time, at the age of 30. – It’s in a way the reaction I’ve had in my body, that every time you approach a good ski jump, it feels as if your body is freezing. It stops and then it will be difficult to compete on large slopes next season, Tande believes. The 30-year-old describes the ski jump as a haven that has been with him in both good and bad times. – The ski jump has meant a great deal. It has been both sanctuary and greatest place of joy throughout my life. If I’ve had hard times, I’ve gone and trained and had a good time on the show jumping hill anyway. Some of the greatest joys have come on the ski jumping hill, he says. He has competed in the World Cup since 2013. Tande broke through as a ski jumper from 2016, where he delivered a strong finish to the 2015/2016 season. He followed up the good results in the following season, where he came close to winning the show jumping in 2017. There he won, among other things, the renowned New Year’s show jumping race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. He is left with Olympic gold from the team competition in Pyeongchang in 2018. He has also won a number of World Cup golds in ski flying, where he won individual gold in 2018. OLYMPIC GOLD: Daniel-André Tande (from left), Andreas Stjernen, Johann André Forfang and Robert Johansson who made up the Norwegian gold team in the team competition at the Olympics in Pyeongchang. Photo: ERIC GAILLARD / Reuters Uncertain about the future In the last couple of years, however, he has struggled to return to the top level. He has also been scrapped from the national team. This can lead to financial challenges, but he believes that it has not come into play at all. – I am sure that if I had been on the A team this year, I would have made the same decision anyway. It has nothing to do with financial challenges. If I had wanted to, I would have done what it took to make it happen, says the now retired ski jumper. He does not yet know what the future holds. – It was my biggest nightmare as a teenager, but it is now something I look forward to. Getting into a more normal routine is not something I’ve had since school, and it’s starting to be a few years ago, says Tande. When Daniel-André Tande was about to do one of his wildest ski jumps ever, it went horribly wrong. Those close to him feared that Daniel would die. Published 11.09.2024, at 17.15
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Ski jumper Daniel-André Tande (30) posts – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
