Norwegian alpine skiing sensation Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, fiancé of American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, has opened up about the awe-inspiring early days of his career, revealing how intimidated he felt training alongside his childhood idols on the dominant Norwegian “Attacking Vikings” team.
In a candid reflection, Kilde admitted: “I was nervous to even ride the lift with them.” The “them” in question refers to legendary compatriots like Aksel Lund Svindal and Kjetil Jansrud, whose relentless success in downhill and super-G events defined an era of Norwegian dominance in speed skiing.
Kilde, now 33 and a two-time Olympic medalist himself, joined the senior national team as a wide-eyed youngster in the mid-2010s. At the time, Svindal—a two-time overall World Cup champion—and Jansrud, a five-time Olympic medalist, were the undisputed leaders of the “Attacking Vikings,” a tight-knit group renowned for their aggressive style and team-first ethos. Kilde has frequently described starting out as the “little brother” in this powerhouse lineup, idolizing the duo who swept podiums and shared everything from tactics to motivation.
“Throwback to my first two Olympics and some great memories with these two heroes,” Kilde once posted on social media, highlighting his admiration for Svindal and Jansrud. He burst onto the World Cup scene in 2015 with a podium in Val Gardena, completing a Norwegian sweep alongside his mentors—a moment that marked the beginning of his ascent.
The nervousness Kilde felt on shared chairlift rides during training sessions underscores the humility that has endeared him to fans. Norway’s team culture emphasizes equality—”There are no rookies and no champions on the team,” Kilde has said—with veterans like Svindal and Jansrud fostering an environment where knowledge was freely shared, free of egos.
That foundation propelled Kilde to his own heights: the 2020 overall World Cup title, multiple crystal globes in speed events, and medals at Beijing 2022.d08860 Yet, even as he stepped into the leadership role following Svindal’s 2019 retirement and Jansrud’s injury-plagued later years, Kilde dedicated victories to his predecessors, acknowledging the big shoes he filled.
Kilde’s story resonates amid his ongoing recovery from a horrific January 2024 crash in Wengen, which sidelined him for nearly two seasons with shoulder dislocations, nerve damage, and a sepsis scare. Supported by Shiffrin—to whom he proposed in April 2024—the couple has become alpine skiing’s ultimate power duo, navigating highs and lows together.
Recently, Kilde appeared as the debut guest on Shiffrin’s new podcast, What’s the Point?!, discussing resilience, team camaraderie, and his drive to return stronger. Targeting a comeback in Beaver Creek this December and eyeing the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, Kilde’s journey from nervous rookie to “Viking” leader inspires a new generation.
As he once reflected on the team’s heritage: the success is built through years of shared passion and support. For Kilde, those nerve-wracking lift rides were just the start.
