"My role model" - Mikaela Shiffrin pens a heartfelt message for fiance Aleksander Kilde as she reunites with him on World Mental Health day

In a touching tribute on World Mental Health Day, Mikaela Shiffrin expressed her admiration for her fiance Aleksander Kilde following their reunion after a long period apart. Shiffrin and Kilde navigated a long-distance relationship as the former skier moved to Chile for months-long training.

On the occasion of World Mental Health, the theme of which was "Mental Health in the Workplace," Shiffrin reflected on the difficult time Kilde dealt with after encountering a devastating accident. On January 13 this year, Kilde was competing in the Lauberhorn test at the Wengen downhill in Switzerland, when he misjudged the final jump, forcing him to clash violently in the safety nets.

The skier had to be airlifted after dislocating his shoulders and suffering a stinging bruise on his calf. After reuniting with her fiance, Mikaela Shiffrin expressed her joy and took the opportunity to acknowledge her fiance's resilience in facing challenges, highlighting his courage and patience.

"After several months apart, I’m finally back with this wonderful man for a few days," Shiffrin wrote. "On this #WorldMentalHealthDay, I want to take a moment to recognize @akilde. Throughout all of the challenges he has faced this summer, he has taken it all in stride and continued to find reasons to smile."

Shiffrin added:

"He’s been courageous and honest and kind and patient, and I’m so thankful to have him not only as my fiancé—but as my role model in how to take on the challenges that life throws at us.❤️🙏"

"I'm now really starting to think about this" - Mikaela Shiffrin anticipates her future with Aleksander Kilde

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Aamodt Kilde attend The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Image Source: Getty)

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Kilde made their relationships public in May 2021, which was followed by their red-carpet debut at the 2021 EPSY Awards in New York City.

After dating for several years, the couple got engaged on April 4, 2024, which they announced on social media. In a recent interview with Olympics.com, Shiffrin reflected on their relationship and highlighted her new priorities, stating she envisions a bright future with Kilde.

“Now I'm 29, and I'm like, okay. I won't be ski racing forever and maybe I have quite a few years left, but when I'm not ski racing anymore, what do I want from that? And now I'm now really starting to think about this and try to take it seriously."

Shiffrin will try to achieve a 100-medal win in the upcoming Alpine Skiing World Cup. The 2024-25 season will commence on October 26, 2024, in Solden, Austria.