Alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin took a heartfelt pause from her high-stakes training regimen to celebrate the man who keeps her grounded off the slopes: her fiancé, Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. In a candid Instagram post that has since garnered thousands of likes and shares, Shiffrin showered Kilde with affection, dubbing him the “most patient, funniest, sexiest man” she knows while crediting his unwavering support for fueling her relentless pursuit of gold.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who holds the record for the most World Cup wins by a woman in history with 97 victories as of last season, shared a cozy photo of the couple bundled up during a rare downtime moment in the snowy Utah mountains. “Shoutout to my rock, @akilde – the most patient, funniest, sexiest man who somehow puts up with my chaos and cheers louder than anyone at the finish line,” Shiffrin captioned the image. “Couldn’t chase these dreams without you.
Kilde, a 28-year-old downhill and super-G specialist who claimed the 2023-24 World Cup overall title in the speed disciplines, replied with a playful string of heart-eyes emojis and a simple, “You make it easy. Let’s keep winning together.” The couple, who went public with their relationship in 2021 after bonding over shared training camps in Europe, announced their engagement last summer during a romantic getaway in the Swiss Alps. Fans have long admired their partnership, often citing it as a beacon of balance in the cutthroat world of elite winter sports.
Shiffrin’s tribute comes at a pivotal time. The 30-year-old American is ramping up preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where she aims to defend her slalom crown and add to her medal haul. Despite a challenging 2024-25 season marred by a knee injury that sidelined her for several races, Shiffrin returned stronger, clinching three podium finishes in November alone. Kilde, meanwhile, is recovering from a shoulder surgery earlier this year but has been spotted courtside—er, slope-side—hyping up Shiffrin at recent FIS World Cup events.
Their story resonates beyond the medals. Both athletes have been open about the mental toll of professional skiing, with Shiffrin advocating for better access to sports psychologists and Kilde sharing his journey with anxiety during high-pressure descents. “He gets it—the nerves, the grind, the joy when it all clicks,” Shiffrin elaborated in a follow-up story. “His patience through my tough days? Priceless. And yeah, he’s got that Norwegian charm that still makes me blush.”
Social media erupted with support from fellow athletes and celebrities. U.S. teammate Lindsey Vonn commented, “You two are goals! 💪❤️,” while Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo chimed in with, “Aleks, you’re a legend—inside and out!” The post has sparked a wave of fan art and memes, blending humor with heartfelt admiration for the power couple’s authenticity.
As the ski season heats up with the first downhill races set for mid-December in Lake Louise, Shiffrin and Kilde’s bond serves as a reminder that even champions need a cheering section. For now, though, it’s clear who’s winning gold in the relationship department.
