Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and girlfriend Mikaela Shiffrin have been celebrating each other’s success throughout the season, whether in interviews or on social media.
And that exchange of compliments has not stopped during the 2023 World Alpine Skiing Championships.
The pair have claimed one silver each so far, and they even started their respective medal-winning races with the same bib number (nine).
“It’s been a good start for both of us. Yesterday (Wednesday) it was fun to watch her ski, she gives me a lot of inspiration,” said Kilde after claiming the first World Championship medal of his career in the men’s Super G in Courchevel, France.
The Norwegian speedster added: “The way we communicate, we give each other support, we can sit there and be confident about what we do right now. Same bib, same silver medal, it’s a cool story, let’s make it gold at the next opportunity, everything is possible.”
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde: Why Mikaela will win even more races than we think
Ahead of Sunday's men’s downhill, Kilde reflects on how Shiffrin motivates him: “I think most of it is that we share the same hobby, the same job, we have the same goals. We always fight for those hundredths of seconds,” he explained.
“And me knowing that she's the most winning athlete, very soon to be, I would say, in the world. And still, you know, she works the hardest than all of us. I've seen it, I have experienced it. And I do the same work myself, but she's always, you know, fighting for (reaching) the next level, always. And that's super inspiring for me and makes me also want to give it a little extra. And that is something special in her. And I think that's going to make her win even more races than we think.”
The two-time Olympic medallist also shares why his girlfriend inspires him as a person: “I think (it’s) just the way she's being such a star, but also so humble and honest and caring in the same way as being one of the most professional persons I've ever met. And for me, that's just incredible to see and to be a part of. And I'm lucky to be a part of it.”
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde: Physically and mentally stronger than ever
Kilde has become one of the most consistent skiers in the circuit and his confidence – and awareness of his full potential – have grown stronger over the years: “It's been some really interesting years. The last I would say three or four years, I've taken some big steps and also made sure that I've kind of been hungry for reaching new goals and new levels of skiing and also physically and mentally stronger than ever. And I can feel that too.”
The Norwegian explains where his confidence stems from: “I also think with experience and how things are running in the team and how it's the same every year, it makes it also for me easier to tackle and also control what I do every day. And also when it comes to races, I can still have confidence and still follow my plan and go for it.”
Over the last two World Cup seasons, Kilde has had 19 podium finishes (including 14 wins) in the 33 speed events (downhill and Super G) he’s entered.
Even if his numbers can't be compared with the winning rate of his girlfriend, the Attacking Viking describes how it feels being able to aim for the win in each race:
"I feel pretty honoured to be in this position and to be able to stand on the start and think that I can win any race. That's always been my dream," he said, then he continued: "And to be able to do that so many times now, it's just for me really incredible. And I do really want to be in that position for the rest of my career. But I know how many tiny margins there are and things can change really quickly. But I really enjoy the moment I'm in right now and will try as hard as I can do to stay focussed and and keep going."