Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has won three career gold medals in downhill events and three in super-G ©Getty Images

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has been honoured by the Saslong Classic Club and the tourism associations of Val Gardena in Italy with the Val Gardena Südtirol Ski Trophy after the Norwegian achieved an unprecedented feat.

In December 2020, Kilde secured his place in Saslong history as he won the downhill and the super-G events in the same year.

That accomplishment has only been achieved once before, by his compatriot Aksel Lund Svindal.

The prize is awarded to the skier who manages to collect the most World Cup points in one year in the two Val Gardena races. 

He took the award in spectacular fashion by achieving the maximum score of 200 points.

Kilde took home a life-size wooden bust of himself, a cheque for €5,000 (£4,250/$5,850) and a holiday in Val Gardena.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde took home a life-size wooden bust of himself as reward for his performances in Val Gardena this year ©FIS
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde took home a life-size wooden bust of himself as reward for his performances in Val Gardena this year ©FIS

"It is very nice to be here again," said Kilde at the ceremony in the Saslonch Hut.

"The Dolomites are a dream even in summer.

"I indeed have an extraordinary relationship with Val Gardena.

"I feel at home here.

"Why am I so fast on this piste?

"Maybe it's the good food.

"Certainly, the excellent snow quality helps me, and I can almost always master the technically difficult passages, such as the jumps."

Rainer Senoner, President of the Saslong Classic Club, Roland Demetz, Mayor of Selva and Angelo Dalpez, vice-president of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, greeted the guests.

Among the visitors was International Ski Federation (FIS) race director Markus Waldner, the two Gardena athletes Nicol and Nadia Delago, as well as former skiers Peter Runggaldier, Werner Perathoner and Peter Fill.