The 2023-2024 season will be remembered for the records Mikaela Shiffrin broke, but also for the devastating crash in January 2024 that interrupted her historic run. What many recognize is the physical toll the incident took on Shiffrin, followed by the complication of a subsequent shoulder infection. What is often overlooked is that Shiffrin was not facing the uphill battle of recovery alone—her true strength came from the person closest to her: her fiancé, fellow elite alpine star, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
Kilde, too, was fighting his own, equally brutal battle. He suffered catastrophic injuries in a January crash that season, followed by the agonizing complications of severe injury and a subsequent shoulder infection. Both athletes, at the pinnacle of their sport, found themselves simultaneously sidelined, navigating the complex physical and emotional terrain of a major, high-stakes comeback.
The Power of Reciprocity
In many relationships, one partner assumes the role of primary caregiver during a crisis. For Shiffrin and Kilde, their shared experience forged a unique, empathetic reciprocity. She wasn’t leaning on someone who merely understood the demands of alpine racing; she was supported by someone who was living the exact same, difficult reality. This shared experience transformed Kilde from a supporter into a “rock”—a foundation of genuine, lived-in empathy.
Communication: Listening, Not Pushing
Navigating recovery while under immense public scrutiny requires a delicate touch, and the couple was intentional about their communication. Shiffrin noted that they prefer “not to push something onto the other person,” a philosophy that allowed each athlete to process their trauma and uncertainty without feeling pressured by the other’s timeline or expectations.
“I think we’re both really good at listening to what the other is feeling and being able to voice our own experience too,” Shiffrin shared. This model of open, non-judgmental dialogue proved essential when the path forward seemed unclear.
The Antidote to Doubt
The most profound support came during Shiffrin’s lowest moments, when she genuinely questioned the feasibility of returning to the slopes that season. The internal pressure and self-doubt were immense, leading her to wonder, “if that was too much, too soon, if it’s not possible.”
Kilde’s response was not a demand for success, but an offer of unconditional support. “He’s just really supportive however he can be. He’s positive, he’s telling me, ‘just remember, it’s going to be OK.’” Crucially, he stripped away the performance anxiety: “You’re trying your hardest. If it doesn’t work, that’s also OK.”
By validating her effort and explicitly removing the pressure of the outcome, Kilde created a safe emotional space. This support—unconditional and born of a shared struggle—was profoundly helpful, enabling Shiffrin to continue her comeback fueled by self-trust, not external obligation. Their recovery became a dual testament to the fact that strength in sport is often measured by the resilience found in partnership.