Nearly two years after a horrific crash in Wengen, Norwegian skiing star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde continues to battle lasting physical effects, with fiancée Mikaela Shiffrin confirming permanent restrictions in his shoulder.
Speaking at a press event alongside FIS President Johan Eliasch, the American alpine legend shared an update on Kilde’s recovery from the January 2024 downhill accident on the Lauberhorn course.
“He has restrictions in his shoulder. He will likely be limited there for the rest of his life,” Shiffrin said.
The high-speed crash into the safety netting in the final S-turn left Kilde with severe injuries: a deep laceration to his calf requiring multiple stitches, nerve damage causing foot-drop paralysis, and a dislocated shoulder. An infection in the joint further delayed his rehabilitation, at one point confining him to a wheelchair.
Despite the setbacks, the 33-year-old has not raced in 21 months but remains determined to return. Kilde is targeting a comeback at the season-opening downhill in Beaver Creek on December 4—just five weeks away.
Shiffrin acknowledged both his progress and the challenges ahead: “He’s doing incredibly well, but it’s also a very long road for him.”
Kilde’s resilience has been a focal point in the ski racing world, where his absence has been deeply felt. As he pushes toward competition, the couple’s shared journey underscores the physical and emotional toll of elite-level recovery.
