Exactly 684 days after a terrifying crash in Wengen that nearly ended his career, Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde made a triumphant return to the Alpine Skiing World Cup on Thanksgiving Thursday, finishing in a tie for 24th place in the season-opening super-G.
The 33-year-old Norwegian, who suffered a severed nerves in his right calf, a deep laceration, two torn shoulder ligaments, and life-threatening sepsis that required several surgeries, crossed the finish line 1.25 seconds behind dominant winner Marco Odermatt to a thunderous ovation from the American crowd.
Watching from the finish area, Kilde’s fiancée, American skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, could barely contain her emotions. The most successful Alpine skier in history (103 World Cup victories) stood hand-in-hand with her mother, tears streaming down her face as Kilde safely completed his run. Moments later, Shiffrin pushed through the mixed zone to share a long, tearful embrace with her partner.
“We shared some tears… that pretty much says everything,” Kilde told reporters afterward, admitting his legs were shaking in the starting gate but that the ski itself “felt amazing.”
Kilde was quick to credit Shiffrin for her constant support throughout his grueling 22-month rehabilitation. “She’s been there from the very first day – as a partner and as an athlete. The support has been insane. I love her,” he said.
Even race winner and long-time rival Marco Odermatt made a point of seeking out Kilde at the bottom of the course for a warm hug and congratulations on one of the most inspiring comebacks in recent World Cup memory.
While Shiffrin turns her focus to this weekend’s giant slalom and slalom races in Killington, Vermont, Thursday’s super-G served as a powerful reminder of the couple’s shared resilience – from hospital beds to the pinnacle of world skiing once again.
Welcome back, Aleksander.
