Norwegian alpine skiing star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has delivered a light-hearted but firm rebuke to fans and social-media commentators urging him and partner Mikaela Shiffrin to retire and start a family, telling reporters: “Mind your own business so we can keep doing what we love.”
Speaking to the press on the eve of the 2025–26 World Cup season opener, the 33-year-old addressed a wave of online speculation about the couple’s future. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Kilde said with a laugh, “but it’s a bit much to say we should quit, have kids, and just get on with it. Mind your own business, and we’ll keep doing what we love.”
Kilde, who suffered a dislocated shoulder and severe leg injuries in a January 2024 crash at Wengen, has been sidelined for nearly two years. He confirmed he and Shiffrin do want children—eventually—but stressed that timing is a private matter. “We live life on the go,” he added. “It’s easy to look too far ahead instead of enjoying what we have right now. As long as we’re happy and having fun, this ski-racing life will go on.”
The comments come amid heightened public interest in the high-profile relationship between Kilde and Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history. Social-media threads have repeatedly questioned when the couple will step away from competition, with some fans openly campaigning for them to prioritize parenthood.
Kilde expressed gratitude for the support but drew a clear line. “We’re focused on the present,” he said. “There’s a time for everything, and right now we’re excited to be back on snow.”
The former overall World Cup runner-up is targeting a cautious return this season, beginning with giant slalom and super-G events. Shiffrin, meanwhile, is set to defend her titles after a record-breaking 2024–25 campaign.
Both athletes have urged fans to respect their personal boundaries, echoing a broader conversation in elite sport about the impact of online pressure on private lives.
