Aleksander Aamodt Kilde suffered serious injuries when he fell badly on the downhill course in Wengen. It was on 13 January that everything went wrong for the Norwegian, who dislocated his shoulder, in addition to a deep cut in his calf.
He has since shared several updates on Instagram, but on Friday he himself spoke to the press for the first time since the accident. The Norwegian Skiing Association had called for a digital press conference, where a number of media were present.
– It has been an interesting few weeks. Definitely a tough period. It has been two operations and it looks good. I’m smiling again and looking forward to the challenges ahead, Aamodt Kilde began.
Also read: Aamodt Kilde warns against the horror images: – I don’t think people could bear to see them
Shared horror pictures
There he also talked about why he shared horror pictures after the accident.
– I wanted to address it, because people spoke and some things were right, while others were wrong. I wanted to make a clear message, show the damage and be open.
Aamodt Kilde is honest that the future after the accident is uncertain.
– It is a situation that is unclear, with my injury. I am positive that this will go well, but it is about how long this will take. It is too early to say if I can compete as I want and win again. But I want to go back, but right now the focus is to get back and walk again, day by day.
Dramatic experience
The 31-year-old told about the dramatic minutes on the ground after the accident during Thursday’s press conference.
– When I crashed it happened very quickly, I went online and think I was gone for a short period of time. I woke up with a lot of pain in my shoulder, that was the only thing I thought about, how bad my shoulder was, Kilde told Nettavisen during the press conference and continued:
– Then I was done with that experience, and woke up on my back, then I saw the calf. There were different phases that were very special. It was dramatic, but I couldn’t think of the consequences then and there. I got help quickly and got into the helicopter – I don’t remember much of anything.
Read also: Mamma Kilde about the Wengen nightmare: – Made my stomach turn
Uncertain future
Kilde is unsure whether he will return at top level and is cautious about making statements about the future.
– It is very early in the phase, it has been a little more than two weeks since it happened. There are nerves involved, so it is uncertain how things will develop. Right now it’s just a matter of getting an overview of how long it will take. I’m not sure if the nerves are back in half a year or two years. That’s why I’m careful not to say anything right now, Kilde stated and continued:
– I choose not to answer that much right now, because I am very uncertain about my own situation.
Aamodt Kilde made no secret of the fact that he has been and is in a very difficult period. He says that the most important thing for him now is to have a body that works again and eventually be able to live as normal.
– The pain I’ve been through is the toughest I’ve experienced. It goes beyond the psyche as well. You can’t sleep at night, it’s been painful.
Clear message after the horror fall
Aamodt Kilde fell badly and ended up in the safety net at a very high speed. Several times during the press conference, the alpinist answered whether anything should be changed. There he had a clear answer.
– It is a clear consequence of something that may be done in the wrong way. It is pushed to a limit which may not be good. Many fall, you may not feel the same when you stand at the start. It is a sign that something needs to change. FIS has a responsibility and must communicate with the athletes.