Daniel-Andre Tande will no longer be appearing on the ski jump inrun. The 30-year-old Norwegian representative announced his retirement from the sport during a press conference on Wednesday.
Daniel-Andre Tande
The Norwegian commented on his decision in an interview with NRK television. At the same time, he assured that the reason for ending his career was not a lack of space in the national team for the new season.
– I am sure that if I were in the national A team this year, I would make the same decision. It has nothing to do with financial difficulties. If I wanted to, I would do everything to be ready to compete – says Daniel-Andre Tande.
– The future after the end of my career was my biggest nightmare as a teenager, but now it’s something I couldn’t wait for – admits the former Norwegian representative, who adds that he has recently had problems with completing attempts on large hills. The 30-year-old recalls that fear started to appear even on the normal hill in Lillehammer.
– In a way, it was a reaction I experienced in my body. Every time I approached a large ski jump, I felt as if my body was freezing. I knew how it would end and it would be difficult for me to compete on large hills next season – Tande believes.
The athlete from Narvik made his World Cup debut on January 11, 2014 in Bad Mitterndorf. A day later, he scored his first points in a top-level competition, taking 15th place at Kulm. A few weeks later, he flew to Sochi for the Olympic Games, where he was a reserve jumper for the Norwegian team who did not compete in any competitions.
Tande has stood on the podium of the World Cup 27 times, including eight times on the highest step. He achieved his first “miss” and victory on 22 November 2015 in Klingenthal. The Norwegian has finished the World Cup season on the podium three times – taking 3rd place in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons.
In 2018, Tande made his Olympic debut, becoming the team champion in Pyeongchang. He finished sixth and fourth individually in South Korea. Four years later, he competed in Beijing, where he did not bring home a medal.
Tande was an excellent flyer. The Scandinavian brought home medals from the ski flying world championships in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022. One of the most important events in his career was the 2018 Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf, where he won two golds – including the individual gold after a fierce battle with Kamil Stoch over three judged series.
The Norwegian also has 3rd place in the Four Hills Tournament 2016/17, where he was in the fight for the Golden Eagle until the very end, and team silver at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 in Lahti.
In the context of Tande, it is impossible not to mention the event of March 25, 2021, when the ski jumper had a very dangerous fall on Letalnica. The Norwegian lost control of his skis in flight and then hit the landing hill of the Slovenian mammoth with force. The result of the incident was a broken collarbone and a punctured lung. The athlete was in a pharmacological coma for several days. He returned to international competition on September 18, 2021, during the Summer Continental Cup in Oslo.
Tande collected 90 points in the World Cup standings last winter, skipping almost all of the competitions in the second half of the season. He last competed on March 8, 2024, at Holmenkollbakken in Oslo, where he finished 29th. He was supposed to be a member of the Norwegian B team in the 2024/25 season.
What led to Daniel-Andre Tande’s decision to retire from ski jumping?
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Daniel-Andre Tande Announces Retirement from Ski Jumping: A Legendary Career Comes to an End
Norwegian ski jumper Daniel-Andre Tande has shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement from the sport at the age of 30. The renowned athlete made the unexpected decision during a press conference on Wednesday, citing a loss of passion and confidence in his abilities on the ski jump inrun.
In an interview with NRK television, Tande revealed that his decision to retire was not motivated by financial difficulties or lack of space in the national team for the upcoming season. Instead, he attributed his decision to a growing sense of fear and anxiety when approaching large ski jumps, which had become increasingly debilitating.
“I’m sure that if I were in the national A team this year, I would make the same decision. It has nothing to do with financial difficulties. If I wanted to, I would do everything to be ready to compete,” Tande stated.
The Norwegian representative reflected on his journey, admitting that the future after his career was something he used to dread as a teenager, but now eagerly anticipates. However, Tande’s recent struggles with completing attempts on large hills, including the normal hill in Lillehammer, made it clear that it was time to hang up his skis.
“In a way, it was a reaction I experienced in my body. Every time I approached a large ski jump, I felt as if my body was freezing. I knew how it would end and it would be difficult for me to compete on large hills next season,” Tande explained.
A Distinguished Career
Daniel-Andre Tande made his World Cup debut on January 11, 2014, in Bad Mitterndorf, scoring his first points in a top-level competition the very next day. He went on to stand on the podium of the World Cup 27 times, including eight victories. Tande’s first World Cup win came on November 22, 2015, in Klingenthal.
The Norwegian ace finished the World Cup season on the podium three times, taking third place in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. He made his Olympic debut in 2018, becoming the team champion in Pyeongchang, and finished sixth and fourth individually in South Korea. Four years later, he competed in Beijing, although without winning a medal.
Tande’s impressive career was marked by numerous accolades, including medals from the ski flying world championships in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. One of the most memorable events in his career was the 2018 Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf, where he won two gold medals, including the individual gold after a thrilling battle with Kamil Stoch over three judged series.
A Legacy in Ski Jumping
The Norwegian ski jumper’s achievements extend beyond his World Cup and Olympic successes. He secured third place in the Four Hills Tournament 2016/17, where he was in contention for the Golden Eagle until the very end, and won team silver at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 in Lahti.
Tande’s fearless approach to ski flying earned him a reputation as one of the most skilled and daring athletes in the sport. His impressive career was marked by moments of triumph, but also by moments of sheer terror, such as his catastrophic fall on Letalnica in March 2021. The Norwegian lost control of his skis in flight and crashed into the landing hill, leaving fans and fellow competitors holding their breath.
A New Chapter
As Daniel-Andre Tande departs from the world of competitive ski jumping, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, courage, and sportsmanship. While his retirement may come as a shock to many, it is a testament to his commitment to prioritizing his well-being and pursuing a new path that will undoubtedly bring him joy and fulfillment.
As the ski jumping community bids farewell to a legend, Tande’s remarkable achievements will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. His courage to confront his fears and take control of his future serves as a powerful reminder that even the greatest athletes must know when to call it a day and move on to new challenges.
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Letalnica Fall
Legacy in Ski Jumping
What led to Daniel-Andre Tande’s decision to retire from ski jumping?
Daniel-Andre Tande Hangs Up His Skis: A Legendary Norwegian Ski Jumper Announces Retirement
In a shocking move, Norwegian ski jumper Daniel-Andre Tande has announced his retirement from the sport, putting an end to his illustrious career on the ski jump inrun. The 30-year-old athlete made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, citing personal reasons for his decision.
Fear and Uncertainty: The Factors Behind Tande’s Retirement
In an interview with NRK television, Tande revealed that the main reason for his retirement was the fear and uncertainty he experienced while competing on large hills. “In a way, it was a reaction I experienced in my body. Every time I approached a large ski jump, I felt as if my body was freezing. I knew how it would end and it would be difficult for me to compete on large hills next season,” Tande explained.
This fear, which started to manifest even on normal hills, became too overwhelming for the Norwegian athlete to continue competing at the highest level. Despite being confident of making it to the national A team, Tande knew that his heart was no longer in the sport.
A Decorated Career: Tande’s Achievements in Ski Jumping
Daniel-Andre Tande’s decision to retire marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over a decade. The Norwegian athlete made his World Cup debut on January 11, 2014, and went on to achieve numerous milestones, including 27 World Cup podiums, eight of which were wins. He also won team gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and individual gold at the 2018 Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf.
Tande’s impressive resume also includes a third-place finish in the 2016/17 Four Hills Tournament, team silver at the 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti, and three World Cup season podiums (2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19).
The Near-Fatal Accident: A Turning Point in Tande’s Career
One of the most significant events in Tande’s career was his near-fatal accident on March 25, 2021, when he suffered a broken collarbone and a punctured lung after a fall on Letalnica. The incident, which left him in a pharmacological coma for several days, marked a turning point in his career, and Tande eventually returned to international competition in September 2021.
What’s Next for Tande?
As Tande bids farewell to competitive ski jumping, he looks forward to a new chapter in his life. The Norwegian athlete has expressed excitement about the future, saying, “The future after the end of my career was my biggest nightmare as a teenager, but now it’s something I couldn’t wait for.”
While the ski jumping world will miss Daniel-Andre Tande’s presence on the slopes, his legacy will live on through his numerous achievements and the inspiration he has provided to aspiring athletes around the world.
FAQs
Q: Why did Daniel-Andre Tande retire from ski jumping?
A: Tande retired due to fear and uncertainty while competing on large hills.
Q: How many World Cup podiums did Tande achieve?
A: Tande achieved 27 World Cup podiums, including eight wins.
Q: What was Tande’s most significant achievement in his career?
A: Tande’s individual gold at the 2018 Ski Flying World Championships in Oberstdorf is considered one of his most significant achievements.
Q: What was the near-fatal accident that Tande suffered in 2021?
A: Tande suffered a broken collarbone and a punctured lung after a fall on Letalnica on March 25, 2021.
Q: What does Tande plan to do after retiring from ski jumping
