From Plastic Slopes to Olympic Dreams
Saturday, 2026/01/10164 words3 minutes638 reads
Dave Ryding's journey to becoming Britain's most decorated slalom racer is a tale of perseverance and unlikely success. Hailing from the Ribble Valley in northwest England, Ryding honed his skills on a modest plastic slope at Pendle Ski Club, a facility that's just 140 meters long and 10 meters wide.
Despite the unconventional training ground, surrounded by roaming sheep and often lacking snow, Ryding has risen to international prominence. He's the only British winner in the nearly 60-year history of the Alpine skiing World Cup, claiming victory on the challenging Kitzbuehel circuit in Austria.
Now 39 years old and in the twilight of his career, Ryding is preparing for his fifth and final Olympics. He aims to improve on his best individual Olympic finish of ninth place and potentially secure Britain's first-ever medal in Alpine skiing. His success story has become an inspiration for aspiring skiers at Pendle Ski Club and across Britain, proving that world-class talent can emerge from the most unexpected places.
