Dave Ryding is an Alpine ski racer, specialising in the slalom events. Born in Bretherton, Lancashire, Ryding began racing on dry slopes in the UK at the age of 8. He trained at Pendle dry ski slope in Lancashire and had actually never skied on snow until the age of 12.
In 2013, Dave Ryding took victory in the Europa Cup Slalom Competition, becoming the first British skier to win the season title at the Alpine Skiing European second-tier. Finishing the 2015 year in 30th place in the FIS World Cup Slalom standings, he improved this to 22nd by the end of the 2016 season.
Ryding had a great 2017 season, with a second-place podium finish in Kitzbuhel making him the second British man ever to achieve a World Cup alpine podium and the first in 36 years. An eighth place finish overall in 2017 has left him in a very good position coming into the 2018 season and the PyeongChang Winter Games.
Incredibly, Ryding begun his 2018 season leading the opening race in Levi in November. While he suffered an unfortunate crash on the second run which ultimately ended his race, this performance is still encouraging when it comes to his hopes in PyeongChang 2018.
Having already competed in two Winter Games; Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, Dave Ryding is no stranger to the Olympic pressure. His placing has improved at each games, with a 27th place finish in 2010 and an 11th place in 2014, which bodes well for PyeongChang!
