British skiing legend Dave Ryding has officially concluded his Winter Olympics journey with a 17th place finish in the slalom event, marking his fifth and final appearance at the Games. The 39-year-old athlete from Lancashire bowed theatrically to the crowd in Bormio after completing his last competitive run, bringing an emotional end to a storied Olympic career that spanned multiple quadrennials.
Challenging Conditions and Conservative Strategy
Only 44 of the 96 racers on the start list managed to complete their first run amid heavy snowfall on the challenging Stelvio piste. Ryding adopted a relatively conservative approach during his initial descent, focusing primarily on reaching the bottom of the course safely. This strategy placed him in 20th position after the first run, setting the stage for his final Olympic performance.
Notably, several prominent skiers failed to finish their first runs, including giant slalom gold medallist Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and former world silver medallist Manuel Feller. Ryding's teammate Laurie Taylor also fell short on the demanding course, highlighting the difficult conditions faced by all competitors.
Strong Second Run and Emotional Farewell
Ryding demonstrated his veteran composure during the second run, producing a significantly improved performance in more manageable conditions. He completed his final Olympic slalom in 1:57.48, finishing 3.87 seconds behind the winning time. Before leaving the course for the last time, the British skier offered a respectful bow to the appreciative crowd, acknowledging their support throughout his career.
Teammate Billy Major, who had been in 13th place after the first run, ultimately finished one position ahead of Ryding in 16th place. The competition witnessed dramatic moments when Norway's Atle Lie McGrath, who led after the first run, clipped a gate early in his second descent, lost his timing, and dramatically launched a ski pole off the course before collapsing into the snow in frustration.
Medal Results and Career Reflections
McGrath's failure to finish handed the gold medal to Switzerland's reigning slalom world champion Loic Meillard. Austria's Fabio Gstrein secured silver, finishing just 0.35 seconds behind the winner, while Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen claimed bronze, 1.13 seconds off the pace.
Ryding's Olympic journey represents an extraordinary achievement for an athlete who grew up training on dry slopes in Pendle, Lancashire—circumstances vastly different from most of his international competitors. He made his World Cup circuit debut in 2009, eventually becoming the only British skier to ever win a World Cup race.
Historic Achievements and Lasting Legacy
The British veteran achieved his first World Cup podium finish on the legendary Kitzbuhel course in 2017, followed by his historic victory at the same venue five years later. His sixth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships marked the best result for a British male skier since 1934, while his ninth-place finish in slalom at Pyeongchang 2018 remains his best Olympic performance.
Before announcing his retirement, Ryding told The Independent: "It was always about competing with the best, proving myself week in, week out, and showing the nation that it was possible, from the UK, to have a career in the top 15 like mine, going into its 10th year. No one's ever come close to doing that."
Reflecting on his career highlight—the Kitzbuhel victory—Ryding emphasized: "Not just because I won it, but it also showed the persistence [required], because I was the oldest-ever first time winner of any World Cup, oldest-ever winner of a slalom, never mind the first Brit. To tick that box was more than what I dreamed of as a kid. I just wanted to be in the top 30 so I could compete in second runs and be on television! Never did I imagine that I would be in a position to win."
Dave Ryding leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a trailblazer for British skiing, having demonstrated that athletes from non-traditional skiing nations can compete at the highest levels of the sport through dedication, perseverance, and exceptional skill.
