The Long Jump to Olympic Glory: The Story of Manuel Fettner

Flashback to 6 January 2001: the 49th Four Hills Tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria. Polish ski jumper Adam Małysz took the crown, sending his country into a frenzy later called Małyszomania. But Austrian fans were also buzzing about a 15-year-old named Manuel Fettner. In just his second World Cup appearance, the Vienna-born teen finished fifth – a jaw-dropping result for someone barely in his teens.

Experts were buzzing. Could Fettner be the next Andreas Goldberger? A new Austrian ski jumping star? The stage was set – but the story didn’t unfold as expected.

The Unforgettable “Detached Ski” Moment

In January 2013, Bischofshofen was not as lucky for Fettner as in 2001 and 2011. In the qualifications, he fell and injured his elbow, the only serious injury in his career. Though he was forced to skip a couple of competitions, he was able to return a few weeks later and was chosen to the Austria team for the World Ski Championships in Predazzo – the first time in his career. 

Surprisingly, in the training sessions before the individual competitions, Fettner occupied top positions, placing him among the medal favourites. Ultimately, he didn’t win any individual medals, but his good performance was rewarded with a place in the Austrian team for the team competition.

In the team event, he was supposed to be the “safe pick” – jump well, don’t mess up. But the unexpected happened: in the second round, Fettner’s ski detached immediately after his landing.

Still, somehow he stayed balanced, gliding to the fall line and avoiding having lots of points deducted. The Austrian coach, Alexander Pointner, tipped his hat in disbelief. Rivals rushed over to congratulate him.

Austria took gold. And while his teammates’ jumps were better, it was Fettner who stole the show. That day, he became an unlikely hero.

Olympic Glory at 36

By 2022, Fettner was in peak shape – but so were his teammates. Coach Andreas Widhölzl faced a tough choice selecting the Olympic team. He picked Fettner, along with four younger jumpers. Few expected the veteran to shine.

Then the games began. In the first training session in Zhangjiakou, Fettner was first. In the following sessions, he remained in the top group. He stayed calm, confident, and precise. As he later recalled, only then had he realised that a medal was possible.

“From day one in the National Ski Jumping Center in Zhangjiakou there was an aura around Manuel Fettner. Rarely had anyone performed so confidently, had known so exactly what to do and at the same time remained so relaxed,” Die Presse wrote.

When the competition ended, Fettner had done it – he won silver, Austria’s first individual Olympic ski jumping medal since 2010.

“I’m honestly pretty speechless, I don’t know how to give an interview now,” he told the Austrian national broadcaster ORF.

At the medal ceremony, he had tears in his eyes as the Austrian flag was raised alongside the Japanese and Polish flags.

“I am overjoyed. It was a cool way with lots of ups and downs,” Fettner said, reflecting on his long journey.

His teammates were just as moved. A lot more accomplished Stefan Kraft, still searching for his own Olympic medal, admitted he was “almost more happy” with Fettner’s achievement than if it had been his own.

“He deserves it like no other,” he said.

Despite the setback in the mixed team event the following day – where their female teammate Daniela Iraschko-Stolz was disqualified, costing both Fettner and Kraft another potential medal – the Austrian team, spearheaded by Fettner, achieved further success. 

They went on to secure the gold medal in the team competition after Fettner narrowly defeated Slovenian star Peter Prevc on the final jump.

“Incredible what happened the last two weeks for myself. Didn’t expect it to come home as the Olympic champion, and individual medallist. Unbelievable,” Fettner said after the competition.

Don’t Quit Before Your Moment

Manuel Fettner’s journey shows that success isn’t always about being the fastest or the most talented – it’s about never giving up, even when the odds are stacked against you. He spent years in the shadows, faced setbacks and disappointments, yet he kept showing up and improving. 

For young people, his story is a reminder that persistence, patience, and resilience often matter more than instant glory. Dreams don’t always happen on schedule. You may think that if you try hard for ages, and this doesn’t bring results, it’s better to give up.

But think again. It took over twenty years for Fettner, who first participated in the World Cup in the age of 15, to reach Olympic Glory, there is a high change that the best is still ahead of you.