
When you get seriously broke off and are feeling way down in the dumps, there’s nothing like having a loved one by your side to help you through the tough times. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde suffered a nasty crash at the World Cup downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland after sliding into the A-Net at 75mph. Kilde is unfortunately out for the rest of the competition season and is currently a hospital in Salzburg attending to his injuries. Thankfully he has support from someone who can sympathize with the physical toll of alpine racing, his world class ski racing girlfriend Mikaela Shiffrin. Here’s what Mikaela has to say about Alek’s injury and why she is inspired by his resilience:
It feels like I’ve lived a thousand lives in the past 4 days. And I’m not the one who sent it straight into the A-net wall at 120kph. I can’t even put into words how much joy and energy Aleks brings into my life. Watching him get torn apart in Wengen from the TV, then airlifted, rushing with my family to meet Henrik Legernes (such a hero during this time) at the hospital while Aleks went straight into surgery…and then finally seeing him as he was waking up hours later, confused and just repeating “I f*ed myself up so bad”…I don’t even know how to explain this, but it made me want to burn down the universe.
But through every step of this process, he has been so beautiful and kind and thankful. He has not lost his patience once, even though he has had plenty of reasons to. He is inspiring and thoughtful and caring and he brings out the best in everyone around him, even in his most difficult moments. I went into the race last night with the thought, “if you’re gonna be here now, instead of with him, then you better make it worth it.” So incredibly thankful that my Mom, Taylor, and Kristi have been here this week and to be able to hug them in the finish after all of it.
Also want to thank my team for moving heaven and earth to help us get to Aleks as quickly as we could. And for their unwavering support and work and determination no matter what the circumstances are. That victory would not have been possible without them, not even close.
To everyone sending support and well wishes for Aleks, thank you! He has had some very tough, painful, and overwhelming days and needs all of the support that he can get.
Get well soon Alek. Best wishes!