Aleksander Kilde talks about the new Oakley collection

Although the sun is still high in the sky and the temperatures don't seem to be dropping, the alpine ski season will soon begin and the best are ready to plunge down the steepest snow slopes in the world. And in the downhill, everyone will be chasing the reigning world champion Aleksander Kilde, who will be competing with a new look. The Norwegian skier will in fact be wearing the new helmet and ski goggles he designed together with Oakley, his historic technical sponsor, which will be launched on 19 October. We met him at the brand's flagship store to talk about his upcoming goals, his work with Oakley and the road to the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina.

"It's been many years, so I don't remember exactly, but it was probably about ten years ago, maybe more. I started getting some products through Norwegian imports and then using them. I was immediately hooked because the lenses and the fit of the glasses were something I was looking for and it made my life easier when I competed," he tells me between hundreds of Oakley glasses on the walls of the shop. "There are always different weather conditions and Oakley is such a big brand with different models for all faces and races. But for me it was immediately clear: this is it. This is what I want for skiing".

Kilde smiles when he talks about his partnership with Oakley and how it has made it easier to ski down snowy slopes that would make us all shiver. "You can't ask the gear to do the work for you, but the one thing the gear should do is stay out of your way. Yes. And that's how it's always been with the Oakleys for me. The glasses never fogged up while I was competing. That's usually a big problem for us because if you start sweating while you're wearing the glasses, they usually fog up from the inside". And the fact that he didn't have to think about anything other than going as fast as possible between the bars made his races easier - if that's the right adjective for a discipline where the slightest mistake can cost you the season.

That's why when Kilde began working with Oakley to develop his personal line, speed and safety were the two most important considerations in the design and production of the ARC5 Pro helmet and Flight Path L goggle. Above all, the helmet "has to be a safe element that can save you in case of a fall. And then there's aerodynamics, which is all about performance. So we looked at what the fastest helmet shape is. We looked at many different helmets, including models from other companies, and asked ourselves: 'What can we do better? What works, what is important to improve?' And then we started with the design".

As we talk, Kilde picks up the helmet behind us and caresses the smooth, dark shell as he explains how he arrived at the model he is now gesturing with. "I wanted it to be quite clean. I didn't want there to be too many patterns everywhere. A clean surface is always quicker and more ergonomic, and it also matches the frame of the glasses. Look fits perfectly into the top curve,' he tells me as he crouches down and assumes that aerodynamic position that makes skiers projectiles on white snow. Only we're in the shop behind Piazza Cadorna and the Milan heat only allows us to imagine the cold embrace of a World Cup speedway.

But Aleksander Kilde describes every moment of the race and how the Oakley gear is the best ally, from the reflective goggles - "we've developed this shape of goggles that I think are fantastic" - to the high helmet mount - "I think that's crucial because it allows your head to move freely, even if you're sitting in a low position. You don't feel like you're wearing anything' - he also explained why he opted for a minimalist design and neutral colour scheme after years of using his country's flag colours. "I like it so clean so you can see the details better when the camera zooms in at the end of the race when I'm celebrating. I hope to do a lot of close-ups next season."

But beyond next season, Kilde has his sights firmly set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina, when he can finally compete with all his friends and family in the audience. "I have already competed in three Olympics, but all outside Europe and far away from home. There weren't many spectators because it was too far to travel. And at the last one, where I won my first medal, the covid was there. So this time it will be different and it will be really great. We'll be skiing in Bormio, which is also very close to here, and it will be a great feeling to be in a town with a great skiing tradition."