Norwegian skiing star Aleksander Kilde has made an emotional and courageous return to competitive skiing after nearly two years away from the sport due to life-threatening injuries. The athlete, famously engaged to American skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, marked his official comeback at the men's super-G race in Colorado.
The Long Road to Recovery
Kilde's career came to an abrupt halt in January 2024 during the Lauberhorn downhill event in Wengen. During his final run, the skier suffered a violent crash that resulted in serious damage to his lower right leg and left shoulder. The situation became even more critical when he developed a dangerous infection in his shoulder that turned into sepsis.
The complications from his injuries required two major surgical procedures. The first surgery took place in Austria during August 2024, followed by a second operation in February 2025. In total, Kilde spent 683 challenging days in rehabilitation, working tirelessly to regain his physical strength and mental confidence for a potential return to the sport he loves.
An Unexpected Early Comeback
Originally, Kilde had planned to make his competitive return at the downhill event in Beaver Creek scheduled for December 5, 2025. However, his recovery progressed faster than anticipated, both physically and mentally. Feeling ready to face the slopes again, he decided to advance his comeback timeline.
On November 27, 2025, Kilde made his official return at the men's super-G race held at Copper Mountain in Colorado. While he finished in 22nd place, the significance of the moment transcended the result. His fiancée, Mikaela Shiffrin, watched from the sidelines with visible emotion, supporting him through every second of his return to competition.
The Power of Unwavering Support
Following his emotional comeback race, Kilde opened up about the crucial role Mikaela Shiffrin played during his difficult recovery journey. "She has supported me from day one," Kilde shared with bluewin.ch. "Not only personally, but also as an athlete. I'm glad that I can share so much with her. The support I've gotten from her has been insane. I love her."
Shiffrin, who is preparing for her own competitions at Copper Mountain over the weekend, expressed her pride in Kilde's achievement. "It was very special that I was able to be there for his comeback," she said. "I'm very proud of him."
The couple's relationship timeline shows a strong bond that has weathered significant challenges. They began dating in 2020 and publicly confirmed their relationship in May 2021, making their first major public appearance together at the 2021 ESPY Awards. Their commitment deepened when they announced their engagement in April 2024, during the most challenging period of Kilde's recovery.
Kilde's return to skiing represents more than just a sports comeback—it stands as a testament to human resilience, the power of support from loved ones, and the determination required to overcome life's most difficult obstacles.
