In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin opened up about the bittersweet reality awaiting her and fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: the couple will likely compete for gold without ever seeing each other race live.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist (and record-holding World Cup winner with over 100 victories) explained that Olympic organizers have split the alpine events across separate venues. Women’s races, including Shiffrin’s signature technical disciplines, will take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo at the iconic Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Meanwhile, men’s events—where Kilde excels in downhill and super-G—will be held in Bormio at the challenging Stelvio Ski Centre, roughly a 5-6 hour drive apart (up to 12 hours with mountain roads and logistics).
“We likely won’t see each other during the Olympics,” Shiffrin told PEOPLE in the April 2025 interview. “The men are going to be racing in Bormio, and it’s about a five-, six-hour drive away from Cortina [Italy].”
Despite the distance, the power couple is no stranger to supporting one another from afar. “When we’re there, we’re in the thick of it and it’s busy and you’re focused,” Shiffrin said. “We call each other. We’re very used to being like ships passing in the night.”
This separation adds another layer of challenge to what has already been a tough stretch for both athletes. Shiffrin made a stunning recovery after a terrifying November 2024 crash in Killington, Vermont, where she suffered a deep abdominal puncture wound (described as a “stab wound” into her obliques) and severe muscle trauma—requiring surgery and sidelining her for months. She returned triumphantly, claiming her historic 100th (and beyond) World Cup win earlier in 2025.
Kilde, meanwhile, has battled back from his own life-threatening January 2024 crash in Wengen, Switzerland, which caused severe shoulder and leg injuries, followed by infections and sepsis leading to multiple surgeries and nearly two years out of competition. The Norwegian speed specialist made an emotional return in late 2025 but has faced ongoing setbacks, including recent back issues that forced withdrawals from key races in early 2026.
Shiffrin described the past season as “survival mode” for the pair, with long-distance hardships amplified by injuries. “Long distance is super hard, but he makes it so manageable,” she said of Kilde. She’s crossing her fingers that both qualify and peak at the right time: “I would be just so excited to watch him get back in the start gate of a race and then the Olympics.”
The engaged duo (since April 2024, public since 2021) have leaned on each other through it all—sharing emotional moments, podcast laughs on her “What’s the Point” series, and unwavering positivity. As the Games approach (February 6-22, 2026), their story highlights the sacrifices behind elite success: podium dreams pursued separately, but hearts firmly connected.
Fans are calling it the ultimate test of love in sport—who else is rooting for both to medal and reunite post-races? Drop a ❤️ if this couple’s resilience inspires you! 🇺🇸🇳🇴⛷️
