Ski Jumping: a record that speaks for itself
At only thirty years old, Daniel-André Tande ends his story with ski jumping. A bitter end for physical and especially mental reasons stemming from an accident that occurred a little over three years ago during a test session in Planica in 2021. “The fear has become greater than the joy of jumping”, said the man who had spent several days in a coma, to the NRK microphone.
Before this incident, the Norwegian was dominating the discipline. After starting out in 2009, Daniel-André Tande gradually gained momentum over the years. In 2014, he scored his first points in the World Cup among the seniors, but had to wait until November 2015 to experience the joy of a podium finish on the main circuit.
The seasons that follow will make him change dimensions. In January 2017, he wins two stages of the Four Hills Tournament and stands on the podium of the prestigious tournament. A silver medalist at the World Championships in Lathi (Finland) shortly after, the jumper finishes the season in third place overall in the World Cup. While the year is successful on the sporting front, the suicide of his younger brother deeply affects the native of Narvik (Norway).
As a champion, Daniel-André Tande holds his head high and wins the Olympic team title in 2018 in Pyeongchang (South Korea) before claiming the world title in ski flying at the expense of Kamil Stoch. The following seasons will be more challenging due to minor physical issues.
Next will come this terrible fall in Planica (Slovenia) in 2021 which will mark the turning point of his career: “The after-effects from that were too significant for me to perform at the highest level.” Despite everything, Daniel-André Tande returns to business and even secures a memorable victory on the Holmenkollen ski jump (Norway) in March 2022: “I remember it well, it’s the victory I love the most in my career.”
The swan song for someone who has drawn a lot of happiness from the air: “Ski jumping has been very important in my life. It was a sanctuary that brought me great emotions. I had difficult moments, but I mostly had good times on the jumps. I experienced immense joys there.”
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