Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is back. © Social Media

Ski superstar celebrates his comeback after 684 days

When the first men's World Cup speed race takes place on Wednesday evening, Dominik Paris's participation is still uncertain. Another superstar will make his long-awaited debut in the Super-G in Copper Mountain (USA) after almost 700 days: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.

27 November 2025

From: sn

“Hey, are you driving tomorrow?” his fiancée Mikaela Shiffrin asks in a video posted on social media. “Yes, I’m driving tomorrow,” the Norwegian replies with a broad smile. With this message, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde announced on Wednesday evening that his ordeal is over.

The 33-year-old competed in his last race in Wengen in January 2024. During the crash, Kilde suffered a laceration to his lower leg and a complex shoulder injury. He has since undergone five surgeries and also contracted sepsis as a result of an infection in his shoulder.

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The past few months have gone so well that the 21-time World Cup winner now feels confident enough to compete. "I can't wait to be back in the starting gate," the Norwegian wrote on social media. "I've thoroughly analyzed everything over the last few days – and the progress has been faster than expected. Now I'm looking forward to everything that lies ahead." Like all his competitors, the Norwegian is venturing into uncharted territory, because although Copper Mountain is a highly sought-after training venue, he has never competed in a World Cup race there before.

Is Paris running?

It remains unclear whether Dominik Paris will compete. The skier from Ultental crashed during giant slalom training in Copper Mountain in recent days, colliding with a gate and injuring his ankle. "I have to take it day by day and see how the therapy goes," said the 36-year-old, who is nevertheless on the start list. Besides Paris, two other South Tyroleans, Christof Innerhofer and Florian Schieder, will also be competing in Copper Mountain.