Trailblazing skier Dave Ryding declared himself proud to have “elevated the sport” in Great Britain after announcing he will retire at the end of next season.
The 38-year-old from Chorley has his sights set on a fifth Olympic appearance at Milano Cortina next year and became the first Briton to win an alpine skiing World Cup gold at Austria’s Kitzbuehel Stadium, a favourite track of his, in 2022.
That result is one of seven career World Cup podiums for Ryding, with his first coming at the same venue in 2017.
At the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships earlier this year, Ryding’s sixth-place finish was not only his career best result at the competition, it also marked Britain's best since 1934.
“I think everyone will know that winning that World Cup was definitely the highlight [of my career],” he said.
“I banged my head against a wall for a number of years trying to get that win.
“It showed to me that I was capable of it. I’m immensely proud that I've elevated the sport and elevated what everyone expects that Brits can achieve on the slopes.”
Nicknamed ‘The Rocket’, Ryding, who was born in Bretherton, Lancashire, first took up dry-slope skiing aged six at Pendle Ski Club and made his bow on the snow six years later.
But despite walking a less-trodden path into the sport - with most of his competitors beginning their skiing careers on the white stuff - Ryding has gone on to excel at the top level.
He recorded his best-ever individual Olympic finish of ninth at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, one of two top-10 finishes at the competition alongside his fifth place in Team Parallel. He was a flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Games in Beijing four years later, alongside Eve Muirhead.
Ryding, who has been regularly competing on the world circuit since 2009, still has goals driving him forward during his final campaign on the slopes and will do all he can to achieve them before he hangs up his skis for good.
“I'm certainly not taking this as a swansong year or a cruise around the Alps,” continued Ryding, who also has three World Championship top-10 finishes to his name.
“I just want to add to my legacy and ideally, I'd like to become the oldest World Cup slalom skier on a podium. I was 12 days too young for that record with my last podium, so that's still a box that I feel is achievable and I would like to tick.
“My best finish at the Olympics is ninth, so realistically, I think that's a result that can be bettered too.
“There’s a lot still motivating me, but I’ve relieved the long-term pressure now I’ve got that finish line.
“If you’re doing a run, if you've got that finish line to aim for, then maybe you'll get a bit more out of yourself in the last kilometre, and that’s what I’m hoping to do.
“I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received throughout my racing career, from the fans, teammates, sponsors, the media, and everyone who’s helped me live out my dream over the past 15 years.
“There’ll be time to reflect as the year goes on, but for now I’m just focused on getting my head down, training hard this summer, and making sure I’m in the best possible shape to go out with a bang this season.”