Dave Does Not Disappoint

4th February 2023

Last modified on February 8th, 2023

GB’s Dave Ryding had a ‘did not finish’ at the World Cup slalom Kandahar race in Chamonix on Saturday. He is likely disappointed with his performance. PlanetSKI is not, in fact we celebrate just watching The Rocket race.

These are exciting times to be a fan of slalom skiing.

There are currently some great racers on the circuit – Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway, Clement Noel from France and the Swiss racer, Daniel Yule.

Plus GB’s very own Dave Ryding.

He is the best skier Great Britain has ever produced and each time he clips into his race skis and dons the bib there is a chance he’ll make the podium.

It’s that ‘chance’ that makes current times exciting.

It’s a privilege to witness him giving it his all and demonstrating his skills and technique.

Last month he took second place in Kitzbuhel.

Ryding takes silver at Kitzbuhel

The year before he won it.

Phenomenal! It’s World Cup Victory for Dave Ryding

In Chamonix he was in the Top Ten after the first run, in 9th position.

He was likely frustrated with his second run performance in Les Houches, Chamonix.

But overall we weren’t.

The PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, was once again in the crowd in Les Houches for the race as Dave recorded a DNF.

Slalom racing is a hard task-master and the margins are fine.

Kristoffersen and Noel also ‘Did Not Finish’ – DNF.

For us at PlanetSKI slalom is one of the most exciting disciplines in alpine skiing and the atmosphere at the races is like no other.

Here’s the Chamonix crowd as Frenchman Clement Noel set off on his second run, he was top of the leaderboard so a victory was beckoning.

The crowd was subdued a few moments later as he skied out – another DNF.

The entertainment on hand at slalom racing is fun.

And did we mention the views from the Kandahar course in Les Houches?

Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI

Autograph and selfie hunting kids descend on the racers when it is all over.

Hang on who’s that in the crowd with the Stars & Stripes?

Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI

Step forward the legend that is Glen Plake.

Kandahar World Cup, Chamonix. Image © PlanetSKI

“Wow what racing! The course was a rocker with jumps and a course setting that pushed the guys to the limit. That was skiing old-school with the guys in the air half the time just trying to hang on in there,” he exclaimed to me.

Glen Plake has made Chamonix his adopted home.

If you don’t know who Glen Plake is then we suggest you google him.

And watch ‘The Blizzard of Aahhhs’ – perhaps the best and most inspiring ski film ever made.

I am certainly not the only Brit in the crowd.