Dave Ryding: The Legacy
12th June 2025
Last modified on June 16th, 2025
It is hard to overstate the impact that Dave Ryding has had on GB skiing. From his own record, to his help with other elite athletes and the inspiration he has provided to the next generation.
“What is there to say about Dave that hasn’t already been said?” commented the chief executive of GB Snowsport, Vicky Gosling, as Dave announced his retirement.
“He’s an icon, a legend of the sport, and a man who embodies everything it is that makes British sport so incredible.
“His accomplishments on the slopes will be spoken about for decades, but the way he’s inspired people across the country and helped bring British Alpine skiing to another level is one of British sport’s great success stories.
“Every one of us involved in this sport owes Dave a huge debt of gratitude for what he’s done, and for what he continues to do.
“His dedication and drive to succeed is a model for anyone who wants to reach the top of their game, no matter the field they’re in, and I know he’s going to show that again throughout his final season on the circuit.”
Vicky Gosling, CEO GB Snowsport. Image © PlanetSKI
Just look at his stats and career highlights:
- 2009 – World Cup debut in Alta Badia, Italy
- 2009 – Makes World Championships debut, finishing 41st in Giant Slalom in Val d’Isere
- 2010 – Competes at first career Olympic Winter Games in Whistler, Canada, finishing 47th in Giant Slalom and 27th in Slalom
- 2012 – First World Cup points, finishing 26th in Levi, Finland
- 2013 – First Europa Cup victory in Pozza, Italy
- 2016 – First World Cup top 10 finish, with sixth place in Levi, Finland
- 2017 – Finishes second in Kitzbuehel World Cup, becoming only second British man to secure an Alpine World Cup podium after Konrad Bartelski
- 2017 – Breaks top 10 in Slalom World Cup standings, finishing in eighth spot
- 2018 – Secures two top 10 Olympic placings, with ninth in Slalom and fifth in Team Parallel in PyeongChang
- 2019 – Records two World Championships top 10 finishes with ninth place in both Slalom and Team Parallel in Are
- 2021 – Third place in Adelboden World Cup marks third career World Cup podium, officially making Ryding Britain’s most successful ever Alpine World Cup racer
- 2022 – Makes history as first British skier to win an Alpine World Cup race with victory in Kitzbuehel
- 2022 – Named as one of Team GB’s two flagbearers for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in Beijing
- 2022 – Records second eighth place finish in Slalom World Cup standings
- 2023 – Bookends year with sixth and seventh World Cup podiums, finishing second in Kitzbuehel in January and third in Madonna di Campiglio in December
- 2024 – Ends season with best ever Slalom World Cup standings, coming in seventh place, for highest career ranking
- 2025 – Finishes sixth in Saalbach World Championships, Britain’s best Men’s Alpine World Championships result since before the Second World War
Here at PlanetSKI we have followed his career with passion and last interviewed Dave at the Gurgl World Cup slalom in Austria last November.
James Cove & Dave Ryding. Image c/o PlanetSKI
He was speaking to the PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, in the World Cup media centre.
Here are some earlier PlanetSKI video interviews with Dave.
“Dave is the epitome of a sports star in my humble opinion,” said James Cove.
“Being supremely talented, focused and hard working with good results is a given.
“But what separates Dave from others is his modesty, humility and utter love of his sport and the people he works with.
“I have followed him on the World Cup circuit for many years and no athlete or journalist has a single bad word to say about him.
“Everyone loves Dave.
“I remember being at the Schaldming night slalom a few years ago and the loudest cheers were obviously for the Austrian racers, but the second loudest cheers were for Dave.
“The plucky Brit who raced on plastic.
“After I filed my race reports I headed to the bars and donned a Dave Ryding mask and people kept buying me beers and asking me if I knew Dave and what he was like.”
Schladming Night Race. Image © PlanetSKI
“His legacy in our sport supersedes his results,” said the BBC Ski Sunday presenter, Chemmy Alcott.
“It’s more about the spark of belief that he has ignited in the next generation.
“He’s given young people from Britain the belief that they don’t have to follow the model of coming from a wealthy background, skiing their whole life, to be the very best.”
“I think that is the legacy I want him to be remembered for.
“It shows that our sport can be a lot more inclusive than people give it credit for.”
He has inspired so many of the younger GB racers that are coming through.
In the same way he looked up to and was inspired by Alain Baxter, Dave is their role model.
The GB alpine team has some bright prospects for the following years with Dave as their inspiration.
Zak Carrick-Smith. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB
We have been following the fortunes of the Carrick-Smith brothers for many years and posted this article in 2018.
And let’s not forget Molly Butler:
Dave’s results and attitude have also led to more solid financial foundations for the alpine ski team.
The team is fully funded for next season and more money is coming from the GBS Alpine Foundation that was set up a year ago.
Nick Robinson, GBS Alpine Foundation. Image © PlanetSKI
“For many years there has been considerable support for British Alpine ski racing programmes, alongside support from UK Sport, from several individuals,” said the GBS Alpine Foundation Chairman, Nick Robinson.
“The Foundation aims to bring these people together, creating a network of passionate supporters.
“The US ski team has had a foundation in operation since 1964; we hope to create one that is equally influential.”
So, when Dave started his GB racing career there were poor results, no obvious talent coming through and little funding.
The picture has changed and there has been one man around when it transformed.
Step forward Dave Ryding.
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