Bungee jump for world-class athletes Stefan and Thomas Rettenegger
August 31, 2024 | Lucia Reinsprecht
Sweaty hands, wobbly legs, trembling knees, a heartbeat rushing to your head. Even the journey to the dam was a challenge for the nerves. “We drove up a narrow mountain road, through a tunnel, and then we saw this gigantic dam – and on top of it the huge Felbermayr crane,” Thomas recalls. Even experienced athletes like the Retteneggers were moved by the sight. “I briefly wondered if this was really such a good idea,” admits the usually resolute Stefan. But there was no reason for concern. Because they would be hanging safely on the ropes of crane driver Markus. “This wouldn't be their first job at high altitudes, and compared to our cargo weighing several tonnes, the two of them are light as a feather,” says the expert from the Felbermayr Klagenfurt branch, giving the all-clear.
165-metre free fall
When it finally came to the person basket, the brothers' courage was put to the test again. “It was rocking quite a bit up there because of the wind,” Thomas recalls of the last moments before the jump. But then the supervisor counted: 5-4-3-2-1 – and off we went! The two young stars took the plunge from a dizzying height of 165 metres on several occasions. “Compared to the jumps from the ski jump, that was a completely new experience,” says Thomas. “In ski jumping, the wind carries us, here there was only the free fall. The body immediately switches to survival mode,” says the 24-year-old from Salzburg.
A matter of the mind
The fact that Stefan and Thomas were able to push through despite these extreme conditions is a testament to their enormous ambition and mental strength. They have already proven this in their sport: Thomas recently won the Austrian national championship on the large hill in Bischofshofen. His brother Stefan, who is two years younger, had his big breakthrough this year. Before the season began, the shooting star from Pongau in Salzburg had never stood on the podium in a World Cup race. This year, however, he has caused a stir among the world's best with eleven top finishes. “It all starts in the mind,” explains Thomas, adding: “That became clear to us once again with this jump”. Both athletes drew parallels between the adrenaline rush of a bungee jump and their sporting competitions. “This 3, 2, 1 and go – that reminds me of the start of the competition,” explains Thomas. For Stefan, it was another lesson in mental strength: “The adrenaline rush you get when you jump illustrates just how special what we do is”. With reliable partners like Felbermayr and the bungee team of Rupert Hirner at their side, they knew that everything would go safely and reliably.
Taking the plunge and leaping from the Felbermayr crane was a unique experience for the Rettenegger brothers. “Unique and unforgettable,” they both agree. An adventure that highlighted the courage and unwavering will of the two athletes. Perhaps this moment will also be a mental support for them next February 2025 at the Nordic World Ski Championships.
