Alpine Skiing
David Ryding
- Slalom
- Nationality
- Great Britain
- Hometown
- Chorley, Lancashire, England (residence per FIS record unlisted; hometown widely reported as Chorley)
- Born
- 5 December 1986
- Primary discipline
- Slalom
About David Ryding
English alpine ski racer specializing in slalom, competing for Kandahar Ski Club and widely regarded as the most successful British alpine skier in history. Competed across five Olympic Winter Games and nine World Championships. Delivered the first-ever World Cup alpine victory by a British skier at the 2022 Kitzbuehel slalom, and finished 6th in the 2024-25 World Cup slalom season standings, the best British World Cup alpine result in over 90 years. Announced his retirement on 12 June 2025, effective after the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics; closed his career with a 17th-place finish in the Olympic slalom at Bormio on 16 February 2026, his fifth and final Olympics.
FIS Code 220689. Nickname: 'Rocket Ryding'. Status per FIS bio: Not active (retired). First British World Cup alpine win: 2022 Kitzbuehel slalom. Retirement announced 12 June 2025, effective after Milano-Cortina 2026; final race 16-02-2026 Bormio Olympic slalom, 17th place, 5th Olympics.
Sponsors: Head (skis, boots); Leki (poles) - per FIS official athlete biography (manufacturer-updated equipment fields) as of 2026
Setup
3 items
Skis
Head Worldcup Rebels race ski (GS/SL family)
- Slalom
FIS official biography confirms 'Skis: Head'.
Head's technical-discipline (GS/SL) World Cup race-stock ski line, distinct from the Worldcup Rebels e-Speed DH/SG line
Boots
Head Raptor WCR
FIS official biography confirms 'Boots: Head'.
World Cup race boot line, 96mm last, adjustable flex, Race Balance geometry, FIS-approved sole
Poles
Leki
FIS official biography confirms 'Poles: Leki'.
Race-stock alpine pole used by Leki-sponsored World Cup athletes
Setup verified 8 July 2026
Sources
- https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-biography.html?sectorcode=al&competitorid=77191&type=result
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Ryding
- https://gbsnowsport.com/dave-ryding-britains-greatest-ever-alpine-skier-to-retire-at-end-of-season/
- https://planetski.eu/2025/06/12/dave-ryding-the-legacy/
- https://zanier.com/en/blogs/athletes/dave-ryding
- https://planetski.eu/2025/02/28/dave-rydings-game-changing-new-kit/
- https://www.teamgb.com/article/dave-ryding-2025-alpine-skiing-world-championships/uzVxeu5YrFadCGChoSbyH