No Kilde in Gröden: This is the reason behind the cancellation

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has withdrawn from the Val Gardena downhill race. What's the reason behind this?

20 December 2025

From: det

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde was supposed to start the race in Val Gardena on Saturday, wearing bib number 18. But even before the legendary Saslong downhill race began, the news broke: the Norwegian superstar would not be starting! Kilde himself explains the reasons behind his decision.

“I decided not to drive today. I woke up this morning not feeling the way I wanted to. Yesterday was a long day, and I’m not at a point where I want to take risks,” Kilde told the press. Viaplay. “Here in Val Gardena, you are completely dependent on working with the terrain; you really have to be prepared. I simply am not,” he added.

Kilde will not start in the Val Gardena downhill race. © APA/afp / STEFANO RELLANDINI

Kilde suffered a serious crash in Wengen in January 2024 and was forced to take a break of almost two years. This season, the 33-year-old made his comeback. In Val Gardena, Kilde competed in the sprint downhill on Thursday and the Super-G on Friday, but he will now skip the downhill. "From day one, I said I had to be honest with myself – and I am today. I'm being honest and saying that I'm not ready for it right now," Kilde concluded.

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Aleksander Aamodt Kilde