Dave Ryding took a historic silver in today’s Hahnenkamm slalom at Kitzbühel.
The result is Ryding’s best ever and equals Britain best ever World Cup alpine skiing result made by Konrad Bartelski at the World Cup Downhill race at Val Gardena more than 35 years ago in 1981.
Ryding led after the first leg by 0.29 seconds but was unable to beat Marcel Hirscher in his final run, but did hold his nerve to take silver.
Dave Ryding's second run at Kitzbuhel
? Dave Ryding – Skier … take a bow ???It's British Ski and Snowboard's best World Cup performance in 36 years!
Posted by Eurosport on Sunday, 22 January 2017
”This is incredible, being in the lead here is a dream come true. I thought I’d had a solid run, but the fact I am leading came as a surprise. The others will try and take my place in the second run”, said Ryding before the second run.
Ryding started racing on a dry slope at Pendle Ski Club and is on a programe run and primarily funded by British Ski and Snowboard and principle sponsor Delancey. He also receives funding from personal sponsors.
Ryding said after the race: “It is an insane feeling. After the first run I knew I had skied it clean, but couldn’t believe it when I crossed the finish line.
Between the runs I tried to keep my heart rate down and tried to forget I would be the last man down on the second run.
After the second run I just thought to myself ‘I’ve done it!’. Hirscher skied so well, so coming second almost felt like a victory.
I have so much respect for all the British skiers winning World Cup points, but to have got this result is just amazing.
Although I knew Kitzbuehel would suit me I wasn’t expecting a podium this season. But I am a consistent skier and I have been in the top 15 or 10 consistently this season so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.
This result is for my supporters, family, girlfriend, sponsors and of course my coaches. They do the work of two men and they have made this possible.
Having a funded programme makes a huge difference and I hope this result will be a big boost for British skiing. With the changes made in British Skin and Snowboard in the last year, there is suddenly a confidence in British skiing that wasn’t there before and we are definitely going in the right direction.
Now I am just going to stay focused and I don’t want expectations to rise too much. I am just back to training tomorrow with Schaldming on Tuesday.”
