Less than two weeks ago, alpine skier Dave Ryding hinted that a maiden World Cup podium finish wasn’t far away – and he proved it in some style as he clinched a slalom silver medal in Austria on Sunday.
So far this season, Ryding had recorded two top-ten finishes, as well as two 12th place positions in addition to 15th and 17th, but his trajectory was upwards bound and there was no stopping the Brit in Kitzbuehel.
In what was to become Great Britain’s first podium finish at an Alpine Skiing World Cup for 35 years, Ryding had taken first blood after the first run, topping the standings with a time of 53.42 seconds.
A nervy wait followed as one by one, the rest of the field took to the slopes for the second run with leader Ryding, who has represented Team GB at two Winter Olympic Games – last in the order.
Austria’s home favourite Marcel Hirscher, a five-time overall World Cup champion who sat eighth after the first run, occupied top spot as Ryding prepared to exit the gate, with the 30-year-old Brit carrying a 0.3 second advantage to his name from his first effort.
But with a second run time of 52.57, it left Ryding 0.76 seconds off the pace of Hirscher – but that didn’t stop the Rocket from punching the air with delight upon glancing at the scoreboard.
In taking home the silver medal, Ryding matched the achievements of Konrad Bartelski, who finished second in downhill in Val Gardena in December 1981, and he was lost for words at the magnitude of his success.
"It is an insane feeling. After the first run I knew I had skied it clean, but couldn't believe it when I crossed the finish line," he said. "Between the runs I tried to keep my heart rate down and tried to forget I would be the last man down on the second run. "After the second run I just thought to myself 'I've done it!'. Hirscher skied so well, so coming second almost felt like a victory. "I have so much respect for all the British skiers winning World Cup points, but to have got this result is just amazing. "Although I knew Kitzbuehel would suit me I wasn't expecting a podium this season. But I am a consistent skier and I have been in the top 15 or 10 consistently this season so maybe I shouldn't be surprised.
"This result is for my supporters, family, girlfriend, sponsors and of course my coaches. They do the work of two men and they have made this possible.
"Now I am just going to stay focused and I don't want expectations to rise too much. I am just back to training tomorrow with Schaldming on Tuesday."
Sportsbeat 2017