Dave Ryding showed the world why he is known as ‘The Rocket’ with a searing second run in the men’s slalom in Kitzbuehel.
A big mistake in the first round left the 31-year-old way back in 25th – in little danger of troubling the high-end competitors.
But while a medal was out of his grasp this time, Ryding flew out of the traps with renewed vigour on his second run, weaving between flags with the skill, grace and raw speed that will certainly make him a force to be reckoned with at PyeongChang 2018 in just over two weeks’ time.
That second effort clocked in at 52.52 seconds – the quickest single run-out of any skier on the day – and was more than six seconds faster than his first of 58.7, giving him a combined total time of 1:51.28.
It was good enough for ninth and a timely boost in confidence for the Bretherton skier, who has slipped down the World Cup rankings following a mixed run of form in recent weeks.
Henrik Kristoffersen claimed glory on the Austrian slopes ahead of home favourite Marcel Hirscher, who was denied a fourth World Cup triumph in a row thanks to the flying Norwegian.
Kristoffersen’s combined time of 1:48.49 was nearly a second quicker than Hirscher, while Switzerland’s Daniel Yule sealed his first-ever World Cup podium finish as he won bronze in 1:49.84.
Ryding is tenth in the slalom standings with 189 points, a total which leaves him 32nd in the overall World Cup table.
He will be hoping to carry this momentum into Tuesday’s round in Schladming, Austria.
Sportsbeat 2018