Norwegian ski star Aleksander Kilde has praised his fiancée, American alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin, for her unwavering support during his challenging recovery from a severe crash last year, highlighting their mutual understanding and respect for personal space as key to their bond.
Kilde, who dislocated his shoulder in a high-speed accident at the Wengen World Cup in January 2024, also battled complications including sepsis. Now fully recovered, he is gearing up for his season opener at the Birds of Prey World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colorado, from December 4-7.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Kilde reflected on Shiffrin’s role in his rehabilitation and their shared experiences as elite athletes. “She has been a rock in this situation,” he said. “She’s also been through challenges with her crashes and all that. I feel like we could be there for each other, which is amazing, because we know exactly what we need. She gives me space when I need it. I give her space—this give-and-take culture that we have in our relationship is very important. She is always an inspiration to me, the way she handles things, the resilience she brings. I really admire what she does.”
The couple first crossed paths at a World Cup event in Chile in 2014, began dating in 2021, and announced their engagement in April 2024. Kilde also expressed optimism about competing together at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Meanwhile, Shiffrin kicked off her 2024-25 season at the giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, on October 25, finishing a close fourth—just off the podium. Austria’s Julia Scheib claimed victory, with American Paula Moltzan in second and Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami in third.
