“Nobody is perfect, but Mikaela Shiffrin comes close to perfection”

Aleksander Kilde is nearing his comeback – Gallery. Aleksander Kilde wants to go diving again, this time in Wengen.

The fatal crash in Wengen in January 2024: Aleksander Kilde flies into the net at the finish S.

The fatal crash in Wengen in January 2024: Aleksander Kilde flies into the net at the finish S.

No time? Blue News summarises for you.
Aleksander Kilde is set to return to the slopes in December following a lengthy injury layoff and many surgeries.

Physically, he feels at 80 percent because his shoulder’s range of motion remains limited.
Mikaela Shiffrin, his “anchor” and “motivator” on this difficult journey, is always there to encourage him.

The Beaver Creek races are another significant milestone for the Norwegian downhill racer. The former speed discipline champion wants to race down the slopes again in his racing gear. “I’m not done yet, I still have several years to go,” Kilde told Austria’s apa news agency during an appointment with his ski outfitter. He’s never had more fun skiing than he does today.

Kilde ripped open his lower thigh and sustained a complex shoulder injury in a fall at the finish S of the Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen 21 months ago. He had to undergo five surgery, and blood poisoning caused by an infection in his shoulder threatened his career. Mikaela Shiffrin, a “anchor” and “motivator” on the difficult journey, is always there to encourage him. Kilde knows one thing for certain: “Nobody is perfect as a person, but she comes close to perfection.”

Injury phase as a school of life.
The skiing dream pair has been engaged for a year and a half, and they have decided to postpone their wedding till after their careers. That could happen sooner or later. Shiffrin has refused to exclude out competing in the 2030 Olympic Games in France. She stated that the chance was “50:50”. Kilde, 33, believes he is the optimal age for downhill skiing. “We can race until 42.” He does not believe that will happen. “But it is possible.” “If his health cooperates and the fun factor is right, he will ski as long as possible,” stated the 21-time World Cup winner. “When the fun is gone, the playfulness is gone too, and then it’s all over.”

The Norwegian, who lives in Innsbruck, has a thought and behaviour pattern that allows him to extract something positive from the previous few tough months. As a great athlete, he sees this period as a “challenge” that might be “quite interesting for life after skiing”. “Then I can look back and say, ‘I did that.'” I hope I can ski as well as I did before the injury; that would be awesome. But I cannot wait for that.”

No fear of Wengen or Kitzbühel.
He was back on skis in August, this time at the Norwegian camp in Chile. Physically, he feels at 80 percent because his shoulder’s range of motion remains limited. Mentally, he is ready to return to the icy high-speed slopes. He had often wondered what it would be like to ski at Wengen. Today, he says: “It’s doable. “Kitzbühel, too.”

He will then begin with complete commitment, albeit with a bit less danger. Will he be fast enough to beat Marco Odermatt and Franjo von Allmen? “That will certainly be difficult – but not impossible.” However, Kilde must maintain his patience. “I’d like to ride quickly. I’d like to win. However, everything must be done gradually.