Dave Ryding makes British skiing history with first Alpine World Cup win in Kitzbühel

Dave Ryding has won the Kitzbühel men’s slalom on Saturday 22 January 2022, becoming the first British skier to win a gold medal in the 55-year history of the Alpine World Cup.

The 35-year-old was sixth after his first run but earned a remarkable victory with a final run of 49.86sec, becoming the oldest winner of a men’s World Cup slalom. Norway’s Lucas Braathen finished 0.38sec behind, with his compatriot Henrik Kristoffersen third.

Ryding was seen kissing the snow after he crossed the finish line, having won the biggest slalom event on the men’s circuit. “There’s life in the old dog yet,” he told Eurosport. “I’m 35 now but I never stopped believing, I never stopped trying.”

Ryding’s historic victory comes the day after he was selected to represent Team GB at his fourth Winter Olympics, which begins in Beijing on 4 February 2022.

The Hahnenkamm World Cup Races: The 82nd edition of the https://hahnenkamm.com/en/  took place in Kitzbühel 17-23 January 2022. The world-famous event is renowned for the Streif run, which is filled with blind drops, daredevil jumps, and unforgiving twists and turns. An international roster of top athletes competed during an incredible programme of downhill ski racing, where the slick, steep track propels the competitors up to speeds of 140 kph, and the legendary Mousetrap jump launches racers 80m through the air. After the pandemic forced the event to take place without crowds last winter, this year, there will be an electric atmosphere throughout Kitzbühel, as athletes and spectators descend on the town for a week of adrenaline-filled excitement.

Photo credit: © K.S.C. / Jürgen Klecha. The use of the photos is free of charge exclusively for editorial reporting in connection with the Hahnenkamm Races. In case of publication, the photo credit from the file name must be given. For all other uses, please contact the KSC office directly. info@hahnenkamm.com