Aleksander Aamodt Kilde returns to Birds of Prey World Cup, makes first turns since injury

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has been a fixture at Birds of Prey the last few years, winning back-to-back races in both 2021 and 2022. On Friday, he took in the World Cup from an alternative vantage point.

“I mean, it’s definitely different,” the 32-year-old said. “I’m just super happy and my soul is super happy to be back on the mountain, honestly.”

The Norwegian speed star suffered severe injuries in a devastating crash on the Wengen Lauberhorn downhill on Jan. 13. After a shoulder rehab setback this summer, Kilde underwent surgery at the Steadman Clinic in July.

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“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “Actually, to be able to ski some turns today, that was emotional. It was beautiful, actually to be here.” 

Kilde said the main reason he was in town was to help his fiance, Mikaela Shiffrin, tackle the super-G event at Birds of Prey next weekend. But the Edwards superstar sustained injuries crashing through a gate in the giant slalom in Killington at the end of November and will miss the event next weekend.

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“I could probably offer some of my experience and guide her through a little bit, even though I don’t think I need to guide her very much,” he said. “Now that she’s injured, I can be with her and support her. It’s just great to be here.”

On Friday, he spent much of the late morning mingling with fellow athletes in the mixed zone at the base of Red Tail Stadium. American Kyle Negomir said everyone was excited to see the two-time super-G and downhill crystal globe winner.

“He’s like the statesman of our sport,” the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail alumnus said.

“It’s fun seeing him back around. He told me this morning this is the first time he’d been on skis since the crash last year,” Negomir continued. “He’s like, ‘I didn’t really know how it was going to feel,’ but I think he feels at home being back around ski racing.”

Kilde said he’s been “cruising around like a normal tourist,” too.

“I’m not allowed to train on my skis because of the shoulder, so just make the best of the time and enjoy this beautiful place,” he said.

It’s hard to pin down an exact return timeline for the three-time Olympian. Kilde said he hopes to be back training at some point later this year, but it depends on how his next surgery goes.

“It’s hard for me to say anything more concrete than that, but it’s definitely a lot of work ahead of me,” he said.

One thing is for sure: his fellow competitors miss him. Marco Odermatt — who finished runner-up to Kilde twice in 2022 and was second again to Justin Murisier on Friday — said he hopes his rival will return to venue next December.

“We would all love to see him and battle with him, but that’s ski racing. I think we all know things like this happens,” stated Odermatt who chatted with Kilde after his race. “We are good friends so for sure we talked together. It’s just nice to see him even if he’s not able to ski.”

Miha Hrobat humorously recognized the benefits of a Kilde-less circuit after climbing onto his first World Cup podium on Friday.

“(It’s) easier to get on the podium,” the Slovenian said with a laugh before adding that Kilde came over and congratulated him on his third place finish. “He’s a nice guy, always nice to talk to — very open. … It’s a shame that he cannot ski but I think he will get back stronger.”

U.S. Ski Team veteran Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who called Kilde “one of the grandmasters of Beaver Creek,” picked his brain for some post-race analysis.

“I mean he was pretty spot on: just got to commit to the arc,” Cochran-Siegle said. “For both Bryce and I, I think we were a little bit dirty in places. If you want to be on the podium, contend for a win, you have to put that ski on edge clean and really ride it.”

Even though Kilde said “racing is racing” no matter where the gates are set up, he also clearly feels Beaver Creek is a special place.

“It’s one of the best courses in the world,” he said. “You’ve got everything. You’ve got perfect snow, steep pitch, high speed, rollers, jumps — everything you need for a downhill.”