Slalom in Kitzbühel: Dave Ryding is the first Briton to win an alpine ski race

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Dave Ryding

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LISI NIESNER / REUTERS

Dave Ryding has been the best British skier for years.

Now it was enough for the 35-year-old technical specialist to win his first career - and that on the "holy mountain" of the skiing nation Austria.

Ryding won the slalom on the Ganslernhang in Kitzbühel ahead of the two Norwegians Lucas Braathen and Henrik Kristoffersen.

Linus Straßer came in 14th as the best German starter.

Difficult conditions prevailed in the driving snow, which some favorites had to contend with.

Ryding stayed on top of things and, after sixth place in the first race, still drove to victory.

It was Britain's first World Cup victory since the competition was created in 1967.

"It was a long and crazy journey," said Ryding, who comes from the northern English town of Chorley and who finished second behind Hirscher in Kitzbühel five years ago.

So far there have only been eight British podium finishes in history, four of which can be attributed to Ryding.

With his hussar ride, he also moved his former competitor Felix Neureuther to tears.

"I have a bit of Pippi in my eyes," said the ARD expert, "that's huge and emotional."

Ryding's trainer Jai Geyer threw himself down in the snow and sobbed: »He did it!

I can't believe it!« There was a prize of 100,000 euros and the golden chamois for the historic triumph, but Ryding had a problem: where should he celebrate?

"The pubs close early," he said in view of the Corona curfew at 10 p.m.

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