In a dramatic turn of events, downhill racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde suffered a dislocated shoulder during a crash at the classic Lauberhorn downhill race in Wengen. Kilde, a three-time winner at Wengen and the overall World Cup champion in 2020, was airlifted from the finish area on Saturday and underwent surgery at a hospital in Bern.

Despite the unfortunate incident, Kilde took to social media to share a heartfelt moment with his partner, Mikaela Shiffrin. In an Instagram post, Kilde expressed gratitude for Shiffrin's support, posting a photo of her by his bedside and adding, "This sport can be brutal, but I still love it." Shiffrin, a renowned American ski racer, had traveled to Switzerland to be by Kilde's side following his crash.

The crash itself occurred as Kilde approached the final turn of the longest race on the World Cup circuit. Launching off his skis, Kilde twisted midair before colliding with the course-side safety fences after more than two minutes and 20 seconds of racing. Despite the intensity of the crash, Kilde did not sustain any fractures but did experience a dislocated shoulder, a cut in his calf, and general bruising, according to the Norwegian team doctor, Marc Jacob Strauss.

The circumstances leading up to the crash have sparked controversy among the skiing community. The race program at Wengen had been criticized by top downhillers Marco Odermatt and Cyprien Sarrazin, who expressed concerns about the rigorous schedule. Speed races were scheduled back-to-back-to-back on the historically long course, with an additional downhill race added on Thursday to make up for a cancellation in Beaver Creek. Odermatt and Sarrazin believed that the demands placed on athletes in such a short period were excessive.

Despite the challenging racing schedule, Kilde had displayed strong performances earlier in the week. Prior to the crash, he placed third in the Thursday race and a super-G event on Friday. However, the toll of three consecutive days of racing appeared to take a physical toll on Kilde, as he seemed fatigued towards the end of his ill-fated downhill run.

As Kilde begins his recovery process following surgery, his teammates and fans rally behind him, wishing him a swift return to the snow. The skiing community will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting Kilde's comeback, as he has established himself as a formidable force on the World Cup circuit with his remarkable achievements and impressive track record.