"To be the first Briton to win the World Cup, and in Kitz to boot, it doesn't get much closer to a dream! Normally I am not embarrassed for words, but now I am speechless - the victory means the world to me!"
Early Years and First Races
Dave Ryding is Britain's most successful Alpine World Cup skier in the disciplines of slalom and giant slalom. The talented Englishman lived in Bretherton, County Lancashire, north of Liverpool, and gained his first ski racing experience on artificial slopes at the age of 8. "I learned skiing on plastic mats!" were also his first words after his historic victory on the "Ganslernhang" in January 2022. Dave "The Rocket" Ryding makes one thing clear: you don't necessarily have to grow up in the mountains to make it to the top in skiing! With this statement, Dave hopes to inspire the younger generations in his home country to pursue their dreams as well.
Historicslalom victory in Kitzbühel
A special milestone in his career is inextricably linked to Kitzbühel: on January 22, 2022, Dave made history there. With his victory in the slalom on the Ganslernhang, he not only celebrated his first World Cup success, but also the very first victory by a British athlete in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup. “To be the first Brit to win a World Cup race, and in Kitz to boot, you can't get much closer to a dream than that,” he commented, overwhelmed at the time. He had already made a name for himself at the same venue in 2017 with a second-place finish.
Interview withDave “The Rocket” Ryding
We met Dave and talked to him about his journey, his motivation, and his tips for young athletes:
1. When did you realize that you wanted to turn your hobby of skiing into a professional sporting career?
"Although I grew up on the dry ski slopes of the United Kingdom and was only able to train on snow at the age of 13, I always had an eye on the competitive side of skiing. At the age of 8, I joined the Pendle Ski Club racing team and at 10, I started racing in the UK. I guess I've always raced, even when I came skiing on vacation. I'm a competitive person. In every sport I do, I ask myself how I can compete."
2. What do you find particularly challenging about slalom?
“Slalom has many aspects, so the biggest challenge is being able to deal with all the variables. If you want to be among the top 15, you have to be good on all types of snow and in all terrain, and you have to be in good physical condition. I love the challenge of competing with others, and I always ask myself how I can improve.”
3. As a top athlete, physical training isn't the only thing that matters. How do you stay mentally strong?
„The older I get, the more important the mental side becomes, and the more I feel mental fatigue as the season progresses. I'm not the best at dealing with mental pressure and fatigue because I'm always looking to improve, and maybe I tire my brain too much. It's very important to have other things in life, and I think that running my café gives me a different perspective on life."
4. What advice do you have for young athletes at the beginning of their careers?
"It's important to enjoy the life of an athlete. Enjoy training, enjoy the fact that you can get up in the morning and work on yourself. The road to the top is usually long – consistency, hard work, and a tireless will will get you there. I know how hard I train, and I will maintain my work ethic until my body or mind tells me it's enough. The best don't let themselves be defeated easily; you have to earn it!"
5. What's next for you? Tell us about your plans for the future...
“I take it year by year. Every season is a new opportunity to give my best and achieve more. After skiing, I'll take a break first, then I'll see what I want to do. I definitely want to pass on my knowledge to the next generation later on - and until then, I'll continue to enjoy what I love: skiing.“
