Speed Team Coaches Fabien Mazuir and Peter Anderson ski with Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Photo: Alpinlandslaget / Claes-Tommy Herland

On January 13, 2024, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde had a terrifying crash during a downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland. The fall caused severe injuries to his calf and shoulder, putting his career in doubt. He suffered a deep cut on his calf and damage to the nerves in his lower leg, resulting in a significant loss of feeling. Additionally, his shoulder’s mobility is still not fully recovered.

First Turns After the Accident

Five months after the accident, Aamodt Kilde returned to skiing. He recently slipped back into his ski boots and made his first turns at the SNØ indoor ski center in Lørenskog, near Oslo, Norway. Aamodt Kilde expressed his excitement to local media, stating, “It’s a great feeling to finally be able to make some turns again.”

A Rollercoaster Journey to Recovery

Aamodt Kilde described his long and challenging journey to recovery as a “rollercoaster ride.” Now living a normal life again, he acknowledges he hasn’t yet reached the level needed to win races. Despite this, he considers returning as a competitor. The factors that he focused on today were the feeling of his injured leg in the boot and how it pressures the affected calf.

Support from His Coach

US-born Peter Anderson, the Norwegian Head Men’s Speed Team Coach, was with Aamodt Kilde at the ski hall. Anderson commented, “I think we are all trying to keep the whole process in view and go step by step, but at the same time the first day back on snow is a big deal and we were all very excited. The body worked and he started to get a good feeling on the skis by the end of the session. There is still a long way to get back into the start gate, but this for sure adds to the motivation and shows how hard he has already worked to get to today.”

Future Plans and Decisions

Aamodt Kilde has not yet decided if he will return to the World Cup for the 2024/25 season. The decision depends on his continued progress and how his body responds to training.

Wendy Holdener’s Return

In a related note, Wendy Holdener, a star skier from Switzerland, also recently made her return to skiing. She suffered an ankle fracture in December, forcing her to suspend the season. She has now made her first turns on the Stelvio slopes, marking a significant step in her recovery.

Looking Ahead

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde’s return to skiing is a positive sign for his fans and the skiing community. His perseverance and determination are commendable, and many are hopeful for his full recovery and return to competitive skiing. Aamodt Kilde’s journey continues, and his progress will be closely watched as he aims to reclaim his place in the world of ski racing. Adding to Aamodt Kilde’s excitement, he recently got engaged to Mikaela Shiffrin, the most popular skier in the world and the winningest skier in history. Their shared journey in the world of skiing inspires many fans and young athletes around the globe.

Information source Skinews.ch and Snowbrains.com