Alexander Aamodt Kilde's mother wrote an emotional post – special thanks to Mikaela Shiffrin's family

She continued: “Although he mentally prepared himself for such moments, the reality hits him hard.”

“Now as he begins the difficult journey back, his optimism and smile warm our hearts.”

“95 kilograms heavier – after 31 years,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself laughing and pushing her son in a wheelchair.

Kilde went off at the S end of the classic downhill at Wengen and crashed into the safety fence at high speed. The 31-year-old was then transported by helicopter to hospital in Bern, where he underwent surgery on his shoulder and leg.

While the Speed ​​King was initially receiving treatment in a Bern hospital after his fall, his girlfriend Mikaela Shiffrin was also by his side. Kildee's mother has now expressed her gratitude to the American and her family.

“A very special thank you goes out to Michaela, Eileen, Taylor and Christi Shiffrin, who all quickly turned around and boarded a plane to Bern that same afternoon,” she said.

She also thanked the people behind the scenes who made sure to “treat Alexander in the best possible way.”