Ryding off into sunset with pride

IT WAS one last ride for The Rocket but there were no tears for ‘one in a million’ Dave Ryding.

- JAMES TONEY in Bormio

The 39-year-old, competing at his fifth Olympics, finished 17th in the men's slalom, but his status as Great Britain's most successful alpine skier is secure.

His best return from those appearances was ninth place in PyeongChang eight years ago, but after 17 seasons on the World Cup circuit there is so much to be proud about.

With an unprecedented seven podiums at the top level, including a famous win on the storied Kitzbuhel piste four years ago, Ryding, who learnt to ski on a dry slope in Pendle, has done it the hard way.