"I was frightened by the extent"- Mikaela Shiffrin's fiance Aleksander Kilde opens up about the aftermath of devastating crash at the Skiing World Cup

Aleksander Kilde recently reflected on the grueling injury he suffered during the downhill race in Wengen, Switzerland, on January 13, 2024. The lingering effects of the injury have forced the Norwegian skier to sit out for the entire 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season.

In Switzerland, Kilde encountered a devastating crash, leading to multiple injuries, including a severe cut, nerve damage, and two torn ligaments in his shoulder. Due to the severity of the injuries, he had to be airlifted from the snowy mountain.

Since the crash, Kilde has been consistently updating his fans about the recovery. He recently took to social media to announce his decision to stay away from competing on the slopes. However, he still graced the season opener of the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar on October 26, 2024, in Solden, Austria.

During his visit to Solden, when asked if he was terrified by the intensity of his fall, Kilde stated his disbelief at the severity of his injury, leading to uncertainty about his return to the sport. Kilde said:

"I was frightened by the extent of it. So much so that I was unsure whether I could and wanted to come back. It was all too much for me. Only after a few months, when I made progress, did I feel better."

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"It could have been much worse" - Aleksander Kilde breaks down the details of his injury's aftermath

Aleksander Kilde of Norway during the second run of Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Giant Slalom in Soelden, Austria. (Photo Getty Images)

Aleksander Kilde refrained from competing in the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season anticipating significant shoulder surgery, followed by three to four months of rehabilitation and recovery.

In the same interview, he broke down the details of the surgery, highlighting the infection caused in his shoulder due to the crash.

"Two muscles, including the infraspinatus muscle on the back of the shoulder, are still loose, meaning they are not connected to the bone. This means that I have severe limitations in my shoulder."

Kilde added:

"Infections in the shoulder bone have destroyed the connection to the muscle. The infection started to corrode the bone. I have to wait until the infection has gone before I can have another operation. I'm doing everything I can to make sure that happens soon. It could have been much worse."

Aleksander Kilde's fiance Mikaela Shiffrin also made a return to the sport in Solden, finishing in fifth place.