PlanetSKI at Schladming Night Slalom as Ryding Comes 14th
24th January 2024 | Jane Peel, Schladming
Last modified on January 30th, 2024
The spectacular Schladming World Cup Night Slalom has taken place in the Austrian resort. PlanetSKI was slopeside for THE greatest slalom race of the season.
Downhill ski racing has the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuehel as its main event.
Slalom has the Night Race in Schladming – and even a bit of rain didn’t dampen the excitement.
Great Britain’s best, The Rocket – Dave Ryding, was 14th after the first run here in Schladming.
It was a position he held on to after the second run.
So, no Top 10 this time but a solid performance on a night when seven of the Top 30 did not finish the race.
Dave Ryding dips for the line to finish 14th at the 2024 Schladming Night Slalom. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI has an exclusive and extended interview with Dave after the race, so do check back for that.
The Schladming race comes as GB skiers are on a bit of a roll.
It is a fabulous time for GB alpine skiing with a stunning performance last weekend in Kitzbuehel from the World Cup team with three racers in the Top 20:
And the future looks bright with 16-year old Zak Carrick-Anderson picking up a gold and silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in South Korea:
So, what about tonight here in Schladming?
Well, this event is not just about the racing.
It’s the atmosphere slopeside and at the finish line that makes Schladming special.
I’ve been trying to get here for the Night Race for years.
I was all geared up to come in 2020.
Then I ruptured the ACL in my right knee.
PlanetSKI’s esteemed editor, James Cove, stepped in and once again suffered in silence.
This time round I recovered from a seasonal bout of Covid-19 just in time.
Phew.
This is the second year the resort has had two men’s night races: a Giant Slalom on Tuesday and Slalom on Wednesday.
This pair were rooting for the Austrian, Manuel Feller in both.
Austrian fans. Image © PlanetSKI
Fans heading for the race. Image © PlanetSKI
Merchandise on sale outside the stadium. Image © PlanetSKI
I bumped into this bunch of Brits on the way to the slalom.
They been coming to Schladming for the racing for three years.
Waving the flag for GB skiers. Image © PlanetSKI
The trek to the base of the Planai reminded me of the slow march to the old Highbury stadium I used to make regularly for Arsenal FC home games.
Outside the stadium for the Schladming night slalom. Image © PlanetSKI
Except the fans were from more than two teams.
And the rivalry was friendly.
There were lots of flags, lots of noise.
And lots of people who had quite probably been “on the juice” for several hours.
Inside, I finally got to experience the Night Race vibe.
Surrounded by around 45,000 ski racing nuts.
And this was before the racing had even started.
No one seemed to care that it was pouring with rain.
Schladming Night Slalom 2024. Image © PlanetSKI
First man down in run one was Ramon Zenhaeusern of Switzerland.
Sadly, he stumbled near the end and failed to finish.
He still managed a smile while being interviewed.
Ramon Zenhaeusern. Image © PlanetSKI
The German, Linus Strasser, winner at the Kitzbuehel slalom at the weekend, was an early leader with bib number 3.
And he stayed in the winner’s chair until the end of the first run.
PlanetSKI’s eyes were on the three Brits in the line-up.
Dave Ryding, who finished 5th at Kitzbuehel, placed 14th to guarantee a second run.
Sadly, both Laurie Taylor and Billy Major missed out, finishing 35th and 36th respectively.
They told me they found conditions difficult.
It’s wet and very, very mild here tonight.
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel with GB’s Laurie Taylor. Image © PlanetSKI
GB’s Billy Major at the Schladming Night Slalom. Image © PlanetSKI
As I headed back to the stadium for run two at 8.30pm, the digital temperature gauge was showing 10 degrees Celsius.
And it was still raining.
The fans didn’t mind.
They’d come prepared.
They came prepared for the rain. Image © PlanetSKI
Ryding’s 14th place was not his best here in Schladming – that was in 2020 when he finished 8th.
But it’s not his worst either.
I managed to grab him for a quick photo opportunity on his way out of the finish area.
He told me: “I just didn’t get the rhythm.”
A wet Dave Ryding, still smiling after the Schladming night slalom 2024. Image © PlanetSKI
So who won?
Well, there was no podium for the home fans to celebrate.
The best placed Austrian was Manuel Feller in 5th.
Linus Strasser of Germany, the first run leader, kept his nerve as he pushed out of the gate as the last racer to earn himself back-back slalom wins after Kitzbuehel on Sunday.
Timon Haugan of Norway was second and Clement Noel of France third.
Both also held their positions from run one.
What a night!
Thank you, Schladming.
You’ve been an uttter blast.
THE best slalom event in the world – despite tonight’s rain.
