Norwegian alpine skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde faced a nightmare on the slopes during a World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland. Racing downhill at a staggering 120 km/h (74.6 mph), Kilde found himself careening into a net along the ski slope, resulting in a dislocated shoulder, two torn ligaments, and a serious calf laceration requiring immediate surgery due to nerve damage.
Recalling the harrowing incident from his hospital bed in Innsbruck, Kilde explained, "Downhill is fast, it’s dangerous, and when things happen, it’s really hard to react and to remember tiny details." Despite the intense pain and the disorienting crash, Kilde remained focused on survival, trying to control the situation as much as he could.
The severity of his injuries prompted urgent surgery in Bern, Switzerland, and now he awaits another operation on his torn shoulder in Austria. The two-time Olympic medalist is taking this setback in stride, describing it as a "bump in the road" in his illustrious career.
What stands out in this challenging chapter is the unwavering support from his girlfriend, two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin rushed to Kilde's side at the hospital and then went on to achieve a historic 94th World Cup win in the women's slalom in Austria.
In an emotional Instagram post, Shiffrin expressed the difficulty of witnessing Kilde's crash from afar, saying, "I can’t even put into words how much joy and energy Aleks brings into my life." She described the ordeal of seeing him after surgery and admitted, "I don’t even know how to explain this, but it made me want to burn down the universe."
Kilde, deeply moved by Shiffrin's presence during his recovery, emphasized the incredible love and care she brought to a challenging situation. Looking ahead, Kilde remains positive, focusing on getting healthy and back on his feet. Despite the disappointment of ending the season without a victory, he recognizes the tough journey ahead.
In the midst of this adversity, the skiing community rallies behind Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, awaiting his triumphant return to the slopes.
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