Norwegian Ski Racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Won't Compete at Famous Hahenkamm Downhill in Kitzbuhel, Austria - SnowBrains

"Norwegian ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde announced on his social media accounts that he won't be competing at the Downhill World Cup in Kitzbühel, Austria, this weekend. Scheduled for January 23-25, the Hahnenkamm race on Kitzbühel's Streif is probably the most famous World Cup race each season. Each year, the race weekend attracts 80,000+ fans, and the winner collects double the normal prize money due to the popularity of the race."

"Kilde's crash left him with a severe laceration to his leg and a complicated dislocation of his left shoulder, which severed ligaments and caused extensive damage to the athlete's rotator cuff. His shoulder injuries initially healed well, but he was later plagued with continued infections and sepsis, resulting in repeat surgeries and prolonged recovery for the Norwegian athlete, resulting in a 22-month absence from the World Cup."

"The Norwegian ski racer celebrated his return to the World Cup circuit in November last year at the Super-G in Copper Mountain, Colorado. He has, however, skipped several Downhill races this season, admitting his physical fitness is not where it needs to be yet. Since the crash two years ago, Kilde has been very aware of his limitations and has approached his return to ski racing with a balanced approach, only racing when he feels 100%."

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde will not compete at the Hahnenkamm Downhill in Kitzbühel scheduled for January 23-25. The Kitzbühel Streif race attracts over 80,000 fans and awards double the usual prize money. Kilde returned to racing after a nearly two-year absence following a January 2024 Lauberhorn crash in Wengen that caused a severe leg laceration and a complicated left shoulder dislocation with ligament and rotator cuff damage. Continued infections and sepsis required repeat surgeries and a 22-month World Cup absence. Kilde won the 2022-23 Downhill Globe, led 2023-24 standings before the crash, and has taken a cautious, fitness-driven return, racing only when fully ready.

Read at SnowBrains