Ski jumping: Olympic champion Daniel-André Tande takes surprise coaching job

Norway’s Daniel-André Tande, who retired from competitive ski jumping in September 2024, has taken his first coaching role at just 31 years old. Tande will work with U.S. athletes on the Continental Cup circuit, with his first assignment slated for December in Ruka, Finland.

Tande’s competitive career was highly decorated. He won Olympic gold in the team event at PyeongChang 2018, collected four ski flying world titles, and earned eight World Cup victories. His trajectory was significantly affected by a severe crash in Planica in 2021, after which he later spoke openly about ongoing mental challenges and never fully returned to the very top level before retiring.

The U.S. Ski Jumping program also announced that Norwegian coach Karl Vegard Andersen has joined as assistant coach with the women’s team. “These are two important additions as we continue to strengthen our program and invest in athlete development,” said U.S. sport director Anders Johnson. “Daniel’s championship experience and Karl’s coaching background are a huge asset, and we’re excited to see their impact.”

Tande’s move keeps him close to the sport while transitioning into a new phase of his career, and reflects the U.S. team’s ambition to raise competitiveness across the Continental Cup and beyond.