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Ryding: A Final Season of Pursuit
Dave Ryding, Britain’s most decorated alpine ski racer, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Affectionately known as ‘the Rocket,’ the slalom specialist achieved a landmark victory in 2022, becoming the first British alpine skier to secure World Cup gold.
Earlier this year, he delivered Britain’s best men’s World Championship result since 1934, finishing sixth.
The 38-year-old’s fifth and final Olympic Games appearance will take place at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February.
“I’m fully committed to giving it my all for one more year and seeing what we can achieve,” he told BBC Sport.
“With my body feeling good, now feels like the right time to conclude my career after the Olympics. I’m still at the top of my game, competing with the best, and I believe I can still give it my all.
“I’m currently pain-free, which is incredibly rare in skiing.
“I don’t want to suffer injuries mid-season; it’s no fun. So, while I’m still capable, I’ll dedicate myself to being the best in the world.”
Ryding boasts seven World Cup podium finishes, culminating in his historic gold medal in the Kitzbühel slalom.
Following that victory, Ryding stated he had “never stopped believing, never stopped trying”—perfectly embodying his “Northern grit” and unwavering determination to reach the pinnacle of the sport against significant odds.
Unlike many of his international counterparts, Ryding’s upbringing wasn’t on snow.
His skiing journey began at age six on a plastic dry slope in Pendle, Lancashire, with minimal snow training until age 13. He continued to train on dry slopes into his early twenties.
His breakthrough into the sport’s top tier came later than most, earning his first World Cup points just weeks before his 26th birthday, with further points only added two years later.
His first World Cup podium appearance was a silver medal in Kitzbühel, Austria in 2017, while his most recent medal, a bronze, was won in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, in December 2023.
His best Olympic result is a ninth-place finish at Pyeongchang 2018, but Ryding feels he could have achieved more at the Games, where he’ll be cheered on by his almost three-year-old daughter, Nina.
“I believe ninth doesn’t accurately reflect my capabilities,” he said.
For his final season, Ryding will train alongside British teammates Billy Major, 28, and Laurie Taylor, 29. They have large shoes to fill, but are following a path that has propelled British skiing to new heights.
“Hearing kids casually discuss World Cup podiums is almost comical, because it’s extraordinary,” said Ryding.
“While I don’t necessarily focus on podiums in races, the next generation certainly does.
“The belief I’ve instilled in the next generation is evident, and I’m thrilled to see what they accomplish over the next 20 years.”
His Kitzbühel gold in 2022 made him the oldest man to win a World Cup slalom race at age 35.
Dave’s alpine skiing achievements are a testament to his dedication, perseverance, and passion; he works incredibly hard.
But his legacy transcends his results; it’s the belief he’s ignited in the next generation.
He’s shown young Britons that they don’t need a privileged background or lifelong experience to reach the top.
He overcame immense adversity, dedicating himself to Pendle’s dry ski slope, developing his skills and passion. He only reached World Cup level in his twenties, a rarity in the sport.
The conventional wisdom emphasizes extensive snow training, yet he forged a new path.
Sport often dictates specific milestones; Dave achieved the ultimate—victory in Kitzbühel—entirely on his terms.
That’s the legacy I hope he’s remembered for: showcasing the sport’s inclusivity.
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