Estonian ski jumper Artti Aigro capped off a breakout season in the 2024/2025 Viessmann FIS Winter Olympic Ski Jumping World Cup, making a significant leap in his career and carving a path toward Olympic contention. The 25-year-old from Otepää, Estonia, defied expectations with a top-five finish in Ruka, Finland—an achievement that marked a turning point in his trajectory and earned Estonia one of its best-ever results in Winter Olympic ski jumping history.
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A Season of Growth and Grit
After a relatively modest 2023/2024 season where he finished 43rd overall, few outside the Estonian camp expected Aigro to break into the top 30, let alone the top 25. But he did more than that—he climbed 20 places, finishing 23rd overall in the 2024/2025 standings. The season saw him consistently placing in the top 20, and most notably, achieving his first-ever top-five result in a World Cup event.
It was surprising, Aigro admitted, reflecting on his fifth-place finish in Ruka’s Large Hill competition. But this is the sport. The weather is different every day and you can’t do much about it. Ruka was lucky for me and I’m really happy. On December 1st, Aigro soared 136 meters and earned 128.1 points, a performance that stood as a new high watermark for Estonian ski jumping on the international stage. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Loutitt Leaps to Bronze at Final Women’s Olympic Ski Jumping World Cup Stop
Ruka Breakthrough: Where Preparation Met the Perfect Jump
Ruka, a renowned Winter Olympic ski jumping venue nestled in northern Finland, has long been a testing ground for early-season form. The icy winds, unpredictable conditions, and pressure of the first large hill of the season often separate contenders from the rest. For Aigro, it proved to be the site of a personal breakthrough.
His fifth-place finish didn’t just happen overnight—it was the culmination of focused off-season training, a new mental approach, and subtle but significant equipment adjustments. His jump in Ruka wasn’t the longest of the day, but it was executed with near-perfect form, timing, and composure in tricky conditions that had rattled even seasoned veterans. It felt clean, he said. I knew when I landed that it was good. You just know sometimes when everything clicks. That was one of those jumps.

Inside the Mind of a Jumper
Mental strength is often overlooked in Winter Olympic ski jumping, but Aigro attributes much of his improvement to his mindset shift. After years of placing pressure on himself to prove he belonged among the sport’s elite, he approached this season differently—with patience, clarity, and renewed focus.I stopped overthinking, Aigro explained. I used to get stuck on little mistakes or compare myself to others. But this year, I trusted the work I had done. I focused on one jump at a time.
He also credits meditation, journaling, and visualization exercises as part of his new approach. These mental habits, combined with his physical training, helped him find greater consistency even when the margins between success and failure were razor-thin.
Winter Olympic 2026: Building a Team Around Success
Although Estonia lacks the vast infrastructure of countries like Germany or Japan, Aigro has built a close-knit support team that travels with him across the European circuit. His coach, Tarmo Koppel, has been a guiding force, while international partnerships with sports scientists and physiotherapists have enabled Aigro to stay healthy and sharp.
Every jumper needs people who believe in them, Aigro said. My team is small, but they’ve been with me through the low results too. That loyalty matters. We grow together. In particular, collaboration with a Norwegian biomechanics consultant allowed him to refine his in-run aerodynamics and address slight asymmetries in his takeoff—adjustments that may have made the difference on competition day.
From Hopeful to Contender
Aigro’s rise comes at a critical time not only for his own career but also for Estonian Winter Olympic ski jumping. The Baltic nation has struggled in recent years to keep pace with the Winter Olympic ski jumping powerhouses like Norway, Germany, and Austria. But Aigro’s success this winter signals a resurgence and gives Estonian fans a reason to believe in brighter days.

I think this year showed me that I can compete at this level, Aigro said. Now the goal is to be more consistent. Top 10, top 15—these are possible more often if I keep working. Estonia’s national ski federation has already announced renewed investments into youth programs and improved training facilities in Otepää, inspired by Aigro’s rise. His influence is reaching a new generation of Estonian jumpers who now see a pathway to the sport’s top tier.
Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026: Aigro’s Olympic Dream Within Reach
With the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 just around the corner, Aigro’s rise couldn’t be better timed. Winter Olympic ski jumping is the pinnacle of the sport, and though Estonia has never medaled in the discipline, Aigro’s trajectory hints at the possibility of making history. In Winter Olympic ski jumping, the Olympics are everything, he said. To compete there, to represent Estonia with a real chance it would mean everything.
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The Olympic format differs slightly from the World Cup, with more emphasis on head-to-head knockout rounds and fewer events overall. That means consistency and mental toughness are key. If Aigro can maintain the form he showed in Ruka and build on it, he could very well be a dark horse in Cortina. It’s still a long way to go, he said. But I’m closer now than I’ve ever been. That gives me motivation every day.
Winter Olympic Ski Jumping: Training in the Shadows
Unlike athletes from bigger Winter Olympic ski jumping nations, Aigro doesn’t have access to the same sprawling facilities or deep coaching rosters. Much of his training takes place in small groups, often outside of Estonia. But what he lacks in resources, he makes up for in determination and self-awareness. I know I don’t have the same support as the Austrians or the Norwegians,” he said. “But that can also be a strength. You learn to be more independent. You learn to analyze yourself more. Every jump matters. His recent work with international coaches and strength trainers has been a game-changer, helping him refine his in-run position and takeoff mechanics—key elements in Winter Olympic ski jumping success.

Laying the Groundwork: Summer Training for Sustained Success
With the winter season over, Aigro now shifts his focus to the summer Grand Prix circuit and physical preparation for the 2025/2026 World Cup and Olympic season. The next several months will be crucial in maintaining his upward trajectory.
The summer is when you build the base, Aigro explained. It’s when you fix the little things that make the big difference next winter. I’m already looking forward to getting back on the hill. He plans to spend time training in Slovenia and Poland, taking advantage of their advanced facilities and competitive environment. His focus will be on explosive strength, core control, and refining his V-style for greater stability in flight.
Winter Olympic 2026: A Symbol of Hope and a Future Star in the Making
Artti Aigro may not yet be a household name in Winter Olympic ski jumping’s global elite, but his story resonates with fans across the sport—a reminder that perseverance, timing, and belief can change a career in a single season. For Estonia, his success is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a signal that the small nation can still produce big talent. And for Aigro himself, the fifth place in Ruka might just be the beginning of something even greater.

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