"I just totally bunked"- Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancé Aleksander Kilde recalls severity of infection that required second surgery post World Cup crash

Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde recently opened up about a critical moment following his crash at the 2024 World Cup event in January in Wengen, Switzerland. The Norwegian alpine skier revealed that a subsequent shoulder infection demanded urgent medical attention to avert potentially life-threatening complications.

Kilde's crash during the World Cup left him sidelined for months, requiring surgery to address his injuries. By June 2024, his recovery seemed on track as he resumed skiing in Oslo. However, his progress was derailed by a severe shoulder infection that posed additional challenges to his comeback.

As an Audi brand ambassador, Kilde shared insights into his recovery process in a YouTube video for the automotive group, emphasizing the physical and emotional hurdles he faced. Reflecting on his journey, he said:

"I just totally bunked. Had high fevers, heart rate just went up, and I was sweating, shivering and I thought something was, and then, of course, we checked the liquid in my shoulder, so we pulled out like this much (showing the quantity with fingers) liquid, and it was all just puss, very nasty." (1:00 onwards)

He further explained that the doctor identified that issue as a serious infection, stressing the need for immediate intervention to prevent its spread and the risk of sepsis.

In 2013, Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancé earned the title of junior world champion in giant slalom and claimed the European Cup overall title that season. He also secured second place in the Super-G at the Norwegian national championships.

Kilde also spoke about one of the most challenging chapters of his career as he prepared for another shoulder surgery.

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Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde reflects on his shoulder injury

Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancée Aleksander Aamodt Kilde/ Source: Instagram/ @akilde

After the severe crash in Switzerland during the World Cup, Mikaela Shiffrin's fiancé shared an emotional message on Instagram. He reflected on the challenges of his recovery over the past nine months.

He clarified that he wasn't retiring but would undergo surgery before returning to the slopes. Kilde also expressed gratitude to his fans for their continued support throughout his rehabilitation.

In the Instagram post, he shared a video with the caption:

"Alright, guys, let's keep it short: it's been a wild journey so far, and we're not entirely done yet. One more surgery, one more rehab, and no racing this winter. But trust me, I'll be back."

Aleksander Kilde will miss the 2024/2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season after undergoing surgery.