{"id":768554,"date":"2026-02-16T16:26:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/768554\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:26:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:26:22","slug":"great-britains-one-in-a-million-winter-olympian-dave-ryding-bows-out-in-milan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/768554\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Britain\u2019s \u2018one in a million\u2019 Winter Olympian Dave Ryding bows out in Milan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 39-year-old, whose rose from a dry slope in Pendle to become the first Briton to win an alpine World Cup race at Kitzbuhel in 2022, finished one place behind his compatriot Billy Major.<\/p>\n

Ryding emphatically rejected any notion of delaying his retirement and said he hoped his improbable rise to the top of his sport would serve as a blueprint for future generations of British alpine hopefuls.<\/p>\n

\n

The most successful British alpine skier of all time brings\u00a0the curtain down on a glittering career \u26f7\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Thank you, Dave Ryding. Always our Rocket \ud83d\ude80#TeamGB<\/a> | #MilanoCortina2026<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ALZ6rC2HRT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Team GB (@TeamGB) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI have no regrets,\u201d insisted Ryding. \u201cI will never look back thinking, \u2018what if?\u2019 I will never look back thinking, \u2018Did I stop too soon?\u2019 I gave it my all until the very last gate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know my story was totally unique. You could probably say it was a one in a million shot, but you can do it. I will walk away as happy as I can be with what I have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryding, who achieved a total of seven World Cup slalom podiums, did more than anyone to wrench the British Winter Olympic narrative away from plucky also-rans like Eddie The Eagle.<\/p>\n

In doing so, he has inspired a new generation of alpine athletes to believe they can make it on the World Cup circuit, not least the 29-year-old Major, who was competing at his second Games.<\/p>\n

\"MilanDave Ryding finished outside the top 10 on his final Olympic run (John Locher\/AP)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe highlight of my own career is still watching Dave win at Kitzbuhel in 2022,\u201d said Major. \u201cI will never forget that day. He has shown that anyone can do it with the right work and people around you.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Dave that he can\u2019t let today define his career because the guy is an absolute legend. I am extremely grateful that I was able to work alongside him for so many years.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryding and Major defied blizzard conditions to sit just outside the top 10 after the first run, which more than half of the 95 starters \u2013 from nations including the likes of Benin, UAE and Guinea Bissau \u2013 failed to finish.<\/p>\n

The skies cleared for the second run but the pair\u2019s hopes of forcing their way into the top 10 were soon scuppered.<\/p>\n

\"BeijingDave Ryding is the only Briton to win an alpine World Cup (Michael Kappeler via DPA\/PA)<\/p>\n

Switzerland\u2019s Loic Meillard took gold after the first run leader Atle McGrath missed a gate.<\/p>\n

Ryding will now head home to Lancashire to take a well-earned break from the sport that has defined him, but admitted he would find it impossible to keep away in the longer term.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy life is ski racing and I\u2019m sure I will stay very close,\u201d added Ryding. \u201cI will look to get my Park Run time down, but I look forward to waking up in the morning and not having to worry about how I slept or what I ate.\u201d<\/p>\n