[VIDEO] From Downhill King to Lift Attendant: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Surprises Fans at Kitzbuhel, Austria - SnowBrains

"Aleksander Aamodt Kilde might not be racing this weekend, but fans traveling to Kitzbühel, Austria, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Norwegian superstar still got an unexpected treat. The 30-year-old skier went incognito, donning a service vest and glasses to blend in as a lift attendant at the top of the gondola. Most visitors walked past the dorky-looking "operator" without a second thought. Others paused, puzzled. And a few true fans weren't fooled for a second."

"Kilde returned to ski racing this season after a nearly two-year absence following a shocking crash on the Lauberhorn in Wengen, Switzerland, in January 2024. 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."

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde skipped the Hahnenkamm Downhill in Kitzbühel while surprising fans by disguising himself as a gondola lift attendant. He wore a service vest and glasses; most visitors did not notice, some were puzzled, and a few fans recognized him. Kilde is about 5 foot 11 with notably large legs, making complete camouflage difficult. The Hahnenkamm race runs January 23-25 on the Streif, attracts over 80,000 fans, and awards double prize money. Kilde returned after a near two-year absence following a January 2024 Lauberhorn crash that caused severe leg laceration, a complicated shoulder dislocation, infections, sepsis, repeat surgeries and a 22-month World Cup absence; he returned at Copper Mountain in November but has skipped several Downhill races.

Read at SnowBrains