Olympic alpine skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin has pulled back the curtain on the early hurdles in her romance with fellow World Cup star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, revealing in a revealing podcast episode why she initially turned down his advances. The two-time gold medalist, known for her precision on the slopes and candor off them, shared the story with a mix of humor and hindsight, framing it as a pivotal moment that ultimately strengthened their bond.
In the latest installment of her new podcast What’s the Point?!, presented by STIFEL, Shiffrin, 30, delved into their origin story during a cozy episode featuring Kilde, 33, as her inaugural guest. Titled “Why I First Rejected Aleks,” the discussion revisits their first meeting in Chile in 2014, when both were rising talents on the international circuit. What began as a promising connection at a casual dinner—attended by Shiffrin’s mom and agent—quickly hit a snag amid the high-stakes world of professional skiing.
“I was so shy and overwhelmed,” Shiffrin admitted, recounting the awkwardness of an ensuing Atomic media event where Kilde boldly sat next to her. “He was this confident Norwegian Viking type, and I just froze. When he asked me out properly later, I panicked and said no—not because I wasn’t interested, but because I wasn’t ready to mix heart and helmet time.” Kilde, ever the good sport, chimed in with a laugh: “It stung, but I knew it wasn’t a full stop. I messaged her on Facebook anyway, and the rest… well, here we are.”
The “rejection,” as Shiffrin playfully dubbed it, stemmed from her fierce focus on career independence at the time. Fresh off her breakthrough 2014 season, she prioritized training and self-discovery over distractions, a mindset that has defined her record-breaking 97 World Cup wins. Yet, the Norwegian downhill specialist’s persistence paid off; the pair reconnected in 2021, going public amid mutual support through grueling recoveries—Shiffrin’s 2023 crash and Kilde’s harrowing 2024 shoulder injury and sepsis scare.
Their engagement last April marked a full-circle triumph, with wedding plans simmering on the horizon alongside preparations for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Fans, who have long adored the couple’s blend of competitive fire and domestic charm (from kitchen collabs to courtside cheers), flooded social media with heart emojis and memes after the episode dropped. One viral clip of Shiffrin’s sheepish grin has already amassed over 500,000 views, underscoring their appeal as alpine royalty with relatable roots.
Shiffrin’s vulnerability in unpacking the “why” behind her hesitation—fears of vulnerability in a sport that demands invincibility—resonates deeply with listeners. “Rejection taught me to trust the timing,” she reflected. “Aleks didn’t just wait; he grew with me.” The episode, available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, also touches on lighter fare: Kilde’s obsession with brown cheese and their shared rituals for race-day nerves.
As What’s the Point?! gains traction, Shiffrin’s foray into podcasting cements her off-slope influence, blending elite athletics with authentic storytelling. For Kilde and Shiffrin, this throwback isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a testament to love’s long run, proving that even the steepest declines can lead to the greatest descents together.
