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Ski star Dave Ryding announces retirement after the 2026 Olympics
British skier Dave Ryding announces retirement after the 2026 Olympic Games – emotional farewell after 15 years in the World Cup.
Ski star Dave Ryding announces retirement after the 2026 Olympics
British skier Dave Ryding announced his retirement after the coming ski season in an emotional video on Instagram. The 38-year-old, known for his surprising win in the slalom at the Kitzbühel Alps in 2022, plans to end his sporting career after 15 years in the World Cup, focusing on the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Ryding, who made his World Cup debut on December 21, 2009 in the slalom in Alta Badia, describes his time in the sport by saying that at the age of 23 he never thought he would be active until he was almost 40.
His victory on the Ganslernhang in Kitzbühel represented not only a personal triumph, but also a historic moment for British skiing, as it was the first World Cup victory by a British athlete. Ryding overwhelmed the competition and went from sixth to first place. This performance marked a significant highlight of his career, in which he achieved a total of seven podium places.
Successful career and challenges
Ryding's first World Cup victory came in difficult weather conditions. During a heavy snowfall he was able to prevail against his rivals, including the Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen. This slalom season, a total of five different athletes won in different races, which illustrates the high level of alpine skiing. Ryding now has a respectable record, with 15 years in the World Cup and a victory that won the hearts of British fans.
Particularly noteworthy is the continued development of alpine skiing and the challenges Ryding has had to overcome during his career. Despite injuries and setbacks, he always managed to come back and assert himself among the top international players.
Olympic ambitions
The anticipation of the 2026 Olympic Games could give Ryding additional motivation. The Winter Olympics provide a platform for athletes to bring glory and honor to their nation. Historically, the winner of Alpine skiing is always part of the great stories that shape the Winter Games, as shown by the list of Olympic champions, which documents all the significant achievements and takes into account the exciting competitions of the past.
Alpine skiing competitions have included a variety of disciplines since the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Records such as the number of gold medals awarded, which totaled 81 by 2022, show the importance of these sports in international competition.
When asked what motivates him to return to competition during his final season, Ryding explained that his love for the sport and the desire to once again bring honor to his nation give him strength. The coming season will not only be a challenge for him, but also a wonderful opportunity to once again compete with the best in the world.
Ryding has already brought plenty of history to life with his remarkable achievements in alpine skiing and remains an inspiration to aspiring athletes who want to follow his lead.