Post Injury Heartbreak: Mikaela Shiffrin's Fiancé Aleksander Kilde Opens Up About His Recovery Journey
Remember that heart-stopping moment over ten months ago? Aleksander Kilde, the fiancé of skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin, took a brutal fall on Switzerland’s treacherous 4.2 km Lauberhorn course, a beast of a track that tests even the most seasoned ski warriors. It was here that Kilde, the Norwegian speed king, was in his element, skillfully navigating the course’s relentless twists and turns. But disaster struck out of nowhere—he lost control on the final bend, was flung through the air, and crashed hard into the safety nets just short of the finish line.
The aftermath was nothing short of heartbreaking. Kilde, a two-time Olympic medalist, 21-time World Cup race winner, and holder of the 2019-20 overall title, announced his forced departure from the slopes for the rest of the season. In an emotional Instagram post, the 32-year-old skier shared the reality of his injury and recovery journey. It was a devastating blow to fans, but Kilde remained defiant, turning his gaze toward the tough road ahead. And now, he’s preparing to share his inspiring journey—the recovery, the setbacks, and the triumph—with the world.
On November 24th, Kilde posted a glimpse of what’s coming on his Instagram story. Against a motivational soundtrack, he teased the upcoming “Kilde.unscripted” mindset series with a countdown clock. Before this, he had reflected on a statement from Marco Büchel, former alpine ski racer turned commentator, who admitted his shock: “I was not used to Aleks crashing like that. And the second thought was, he is going to get up, but he didn’t.”
Despite this, Aleksander wasn’t giving up. With a fierce determination, he shared his goal: “My goal is to be back skiing, I want to be competitive again, capable of winning.” Marco also highlighted what it takes to return from such a setback: “When you have a crash like that, you need the right mindset to come back. He’s always been focused and motivated. He’s a true Viking.” That Viking spirit is what Kilde needs to face the journey ahead.
But the challenges were far from over. Kilde opened up about an unexpected complication—an infection in his shoulder that required surgery, leading to fears about his future on the slopes. “It was mentally tough,” he said, “not just because it delayed my return to skiing, but I also wondered if I’d ever be able to really use my shoulder again.” It was a dark moment that brought the reality of recovery into sharp focus—it wasn’t just about healing his body, but his spirit, too.
And the road ahead is far from easy. “Two of the muscles are still not attached,” he explained, “so I need another surgery to reconstruct everything again.” It’s a daunting reality—starting over, bit by bit. But through every challenge, there’s been a constant figure beside him—Mikaela Shiffrin.
Mikaela Shiffrin has been Kilde’s unwavering rock. Right after the crash in Wengen, Kilde shared some candid photos from his hospital bed. Who was the person behind the camera capturing those vulnerable moments? It was none other than Mikaela. “I’m here,” he wrote, “being taken care of by the one and only @mikaelashiffrin… Patched up.” Despite her busy schedule, Shiffrin—the skiing superstar with 97 race victories—dropped everything to be with him in Switzerland, standing by his side as he started his recovery journey.
Even after she suffered her own crash in Italy, facing knee joint and MCL injuries, Mikaela stayed close, monitoring Kilde’s progress while working on her own recovery. In March 2024, she acknowledged the long journey ahead for her fiancé, but Aleksander’s message remained unwavering: “Trust me—I’ll be back.”
Kilde’s determination is nothing short of inspiring. His courage, coupled with Mikaela’s support, paints a story of resilience—one where setbacks are just setups for an incredible comeback. Stay tuned as Aleksander shares his unscripted journey, and be ready to witness the return of this unstoppable Viking.
