Ryding Returns to Scene of World Cup Triumph
20th January 2023
Last modified on January 22nd, 2023
GB’s Dave Ryding is preparing to race at Kitzbühel, one year on from his historic victory. Can ‘The Rocket’ find the form to tame the slalom course on the infamous Hahnenkamm mountain and win for a second time? UPDATED
On Sunday 22nd January 2023, Dave Ryding will push out of the starting gate on the Austrian hill that made him famous outside the world of ski racing.
Because it was on Saturday 22nd January 2022 that he made sporting history by becoming the first British alpine skier to win a World Cup race.
Dave Ryding wins. Image © Juergen Klecha
He’d been knocking on the door for a while.
He’d first made the podium – also at Kitzbühel – in 2017, when he was second.
Then, in 2019, he was second again in the the Oslo parallel slalom.
Next was a third place in Adelboden in 2021.
But there is nothing sweeter than standing on the top step.
Even better, he did it at one of the biggest and best of all alpine racing events in a country that he has adopted as his alpine home.
Dave Ryding with the trophy. Image © Juergen Klecha
As well as a massive trophy and a big payday, the win entitled him to his very own gondola in the Austrian resort.
Ryding & his gondola. Image c/o Kitzbühel Tourisme
He followed up his victory with yet another podium – a second place – at Garmisch-Partenkirchen a month later.
PlanetSKI met and interviewed him the next day.
The question is, can Ryding win again on Sunday?
So far this season there have been five races and they’ve not gone his way.
His best result was a 12th place at Madonna di Campiglio in December.
And he’s twice finished outside – though only just – the top 20.
Ryding has told Eurosport that he doesn’t want to make excuses but there have been ‘a few little things’ relating to setting up his skis and racing on salt that have not helped him.
Let’s hope the stars are aligned for him this weekend.
Whatever happens, there are a few more World Cup races to come this season and the World Championships in Courchevel-Meribel next month.
“Every race now is like do or die,” Ryding told Eurosport.
“So yeah, I’m 36, who knows how many more I’ve got left? So every race I want to do the best I can do now. Not sort of thinking like one month to two months or a year ahead. It’s just live in the now and do the best you can each week.”
You can read the full interview on the Eurosport website.
The first run of the Kitzbühel slalom is scheduled to start at 10.30am Central European Time (9.30am GMT) on Sunday.
It will be on Eurosport.
Don’t miss it.
Good Luck Dave!
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