Winter Wrap-Up: Ryding makes history as skiers excel

It was a fantastic weekend to be a British skier and not just because of Super Dave.

Dave Ryding’s phenomenal slalom display in Kitzbühel broke new ground for Great Britain, for whom there were plenty of positives on the slopes.

Ryding won gold on Saturday, becoming the first British alpine skier to claim victory in the 55-year history of the World Cup.

Just 24 hours after his place at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing next month had been confirmed, Ryding celebrated in fine style with the run of his life in Austria, propelling himself from sixth at the halfway stage to the top of the podium, making history in the process.

Immediately after the race, the 35-year-old said: “I've gone blank. There was so much emotion when I finished and now I just, I don't know what to say, I'm normally not lost for words but now…

“You know, I'm 35 now but I never stopped believing, I never stopped trying, and to bring the first victory for Great Britain in a World Cup, in Kitzbühel, I mean, I don't know if dreams are made better.

"Thanks for your support, it means the world just to hear some Brits and people cheering in the fans because you know, I don't have a home race but there's always some Brits in the Alps because we love skiing and we love to party as well, so, thank you!"

A tribute to his persistence and dedication, Ryding is now the oldest winner of a men's slalom World Cup event and will travel to China full of confidence.

It was a nervous wait for Ryding after a sublime second run of 49.86s had put him into the lead with five skiers still to race.

But fittingly, exactly five years to the day since his first World Cup podium in the same location, he held on for an emotional triumph.

Ryding does not have to wait long for a chance to keep the momentum going as he is next in action on Tuesday in Schladming with compatriots Laurie Taylor, who did not finish his first run in Kitzbühel, and Billy Major, who failed to qualify for the second run, also on the startlist.

Over in Aspen, Zoe Atkin narrowly missed out on the X Games podium in the women’s ski SuperPipe, taking fourth place.

Kelly Sildaru took gold ahead of Brita Sigourney with Hanna Faulhaber edging out Atkin for the bronze on Friday night.

Elsewhere, Kirsty Muir took fifth in the X Games slopestyle with James Woods finishing sixth in the same discipline in the men’s competition. 

On skis in Sweden, Ollie Davies placed 21st and 22nd over the ski cross World Cup weekend in Idre Fjäll as he gears up for his first Olympic Winter Games, fulfilling a childhood dream after his selection was confirmed in the last few days.

The good news does not end there for skiing fans, with Alex Tilley set to feature in the women's giant slalom on Tuesday in Kronplatz as she steps up her recovery from a fractured ankle ahead of the Games.