For British alpine skiing veteran Dave Ryding, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina represent the culmination of a remarkable career defined by persistence, passion, and unlikely success on the snow. At 39 years old, Ryding is preparing for what will be his fifth and final Olympic appearance, a moment he has described as his last opportunity to fully “go all in” on the sport he has dedicated his life to.
Known affectionately as “The Rocket”, Ryding has become a symbol of tenacity within the Alpine skiing world. His story is rooted in humble beginnings that set him apart from most elite racers: he grew up skiing on plastic dry slopes in Pendle Hill, near Clitheroe in Lancashire, England far from the snow-covered Alps where most champions hone their skills. From those unlikely origins, Ryding forged a path into international competition, a route marked by slow progress, deep commitment, and belief in his own potential.
His journey to the Olympics was anything but straightforward. In his early days on the international circuit, Ryding often finished well down the rankings; in his first FIS competition in 2002 he placed 49th, more than 30 seconds behind the winner. Such results would have discouraged many, but Ryding’s mindset was built on long-term resolve rather than short-term success. “I knew how to apply myself,” he said, reflecting on those formative years. “It was a much more long-term mindset of I’m going to do this.”
A Career of Breakthroughs and Records
Ryding’s ascent in the alpine world was gradual but significant. His international breakthrough came at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he posted a top-20 finish in slalom, an impressive result given his background and limited access to high-altitude snow as a youth. He continued to improve in subsequent seasons, including a ninth-place finish in slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and a strong performance in team parallel events.
Ryding’s defining moment arrived in January 2022 at the prestigious Kitzbühel World Cup slalom. There, against all expectations, he won the event, becoming the first British athlete ever to claim a World Cup alpine skiing victory. That triumph was historic not just for its athletic significance, but because it signaled that a skier from outside the traditional Alpine powerhouses could rise to the very top. That win, and his subsequent performances on the World Cup circuit including multiple podium finishes cemented his reputation as Britain’s most successful alpine ski racer.
Over the course of his career, Ryding accumulated seven World Cup podiums, including several top-three finishes and consistent results that placed him among the world’s elite in slalom racing. His commitment to improvement, even well into his late thirties an age when most athletes have retired became a defining feature of his legacy.
The Road to Milano Cortina 2026
Ryding entered the 2025-26 season with a clear goal: to make his final season count and to give everything he had in his last Olympic campaign. In January 2026, he was selected as part of Great Britain’s Olympic slalom team, alongside teammates Laurie Taylor and Billy Major. His inclusion marked a milestone: Ryding would compete in his fifth Olympic Games, a rare achievement in a sport as physically demanding as alpine skiing.
At this stage in his career, Ryding’s objective is not simply participation but performance. He has openly discussed his desire to improve on his previous Olympic results, with a personal best placing of ninth in PyeongChang 2018, and dreams of achieving Britain’s first Olympic medal in alpine skiing. While that aspiration may appear ambitious alpine podiums have historically been dominated by athletes from snow-rich nations Ryding insists that his experience and preparation give him a genuine shot at a breakthrough.
Despite his age and the demands of elite competition, he says he feels physically capable of competing with the best. His World Cup season prior to the Olympics showed strong form, with solid results and continued resilience against younger rivals. Ryding has said that what matters most in his final Olympic run is his mindset to stay “in the fight,” push himself to the limit on race day, and take advantage of the years of experience he has accumulated.
Legacy, Impact, and Inspiration
Beyond results and rankings, Ryding’s impact on British skiing is profound. His achievements have helped raise the profile of Alpine skiing in a country where winter sports rarely dominate headlines. He has demonstrated that athletes from non-traditional winter sports backgrounds can succeed at the highest levels through determination, hard work, and resilience.
His career has also inspired a new generation of British skiers, including his teammates who admire his longevity and dedication. Figures like Laurie Taylor and Billy Major look up to Ryding not just for his results but for the standards he consistently set: professionalism, resilience, and the courage to challenge conventional expectations in a sport dominated by nations with deep alpine traditions.
Off the slopes, Ryding’s life reflects the grounded nature of his rise to fame. With his wife Mandy, he opened a coffee shop in Tarleton, near Liverpool a venture that provided a balance to the intensity of competitive skiing and a connection to family life outside sport. Ryding has spoken about the joy he found in that project, describing it as a refreshing contrast to the rigors of training and travel.
The Olympic Moment
As Ryding prepares for his final individual competition in Bormio where the Olympic slalom event is being held he acknowledges the pressure, the stakes, and the emotional weight of the moment. Yet he remains clear-eyed about what matters most: competing with heart, leaving nothing behind, and embracing this final chapter with the same commitment that defined his long career.
For Ryding, this Olympic farewell is less about expectations or external accolades and more about personal fulfilment. “Nothing really matters anymore,” he said, emphasizing that while a medal would be extraordinary, it does not solely define his legacy. What defines him is the journey: from dry slopes in Lancashire to the starting gates of the world’s greatest ski races, always competing, always pushing, and always believing in himself even when the odds were long.
As the Winter Games unfold, Ryding’s final act will be observed by fans, fellow competitors, and a new generation of skiers, all inspired by his story. Whether he achieves a podium finish or not, his presence at the start line is a testament to a career built on perseverance, spirit, and a deep love of the sport.
