At first he found it difficult to be independent at the age of sixteen, but he received much help and support from his brother, with whom he was living at the time.

In the same year Matti had his first real successes and won medals at the 1997 and 1999 FIS Junior World Ski Jumping Championships.

Hautamäki was regarded as a specialist at ski flying, with the majority of his personal best distances being achieved in Planica.

An early sign of things to come was showcased on 23 March 2002 when he jumped 224.5 metres, nearly equalling the then-world record of 225 m set two years prior by Andreas Goldberger.

Some minutes after that, Janne Ahonen jumped 240 m (790 ft), but this was rendered invalid due to him falling hard upon landing.