The Alps have Austria. The Rockies have the Americans. But the plastic dry slopes of Lancashire? They produced a Rocket.
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As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina approach, the narrative of British skiing is dominated by one name: Dave Ryding. Known affectionately as “The Rocket,” Ryding has done the impossible. He transformed from a boy training on plastic mats in the rain into a World Cup winner, shattering the ceiling for what British alpine skiers can achieve.
With the 2026 season marking his farewell tour, the sporting world is watching his final turns closely. But how did a skier from a nation without mountains reach the pinnacle of the sport? And what does his retirement mean for the future of Team GB? This guide breaks down the career, the technique, and the finances of Britain’s most successful skier of all time.
Who is Dave Ryding? A Quick Bio
Before diving into the 2026 season, here is the essential data on the man behind the goggles.
| Feature | Details |
| Full Name | David Ryding |
| Nickname | The Rocket |
| Birth Date | December 5, 1986 (Age 39 in 2026) |
| Hometown | Bretherton, Lancashire, England |
| Club | Kandahar Ski Club / Pendle Ski Club |
| Specialty | Slalom |
| Olympics | 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Key Win | Kitzbühel World Cup Slalom (2022) |
| Equipment | Head (Skis/Boots), Leki (Poles), Armaurto (Protection) |
Early Life: Forged on Plastic
Most World Cup skiers grow up clicking into bindings before they can walk, surrounded by powder and peaks. Dave Ryding’s start was grittier. He grew up in Bretherton, Lancashire, a place better known for its flat fields than its vertical drops.
Ryding’s journey began at age eight at the Pendle Ski Club. This wasn’t a glitzy resort; it was a dry ski slope, essentially a hill covered in abrasive plastic matting (Dendix) that mimics the slide of snow.
Why Dry Slopes Create Tough Skiers
Starting on plastic gave Ryding a unique technical advantage that competitors often overlook.
- Unforgiving Surface: Plastic doesn’t forgive mistakes. If you catch an edge on snow, you might slide; on plastic, you crash hard. This forced Ryding to develop impeccable balance and edge control early on.
- Aggressive Style: To generate speed on plastic, you have to be aggressive. This “attack mode” became Ryding’s signature style when he eventually transitioned to the icy injected slopes of the World Cup circuit.
It wasn’t until age 12 that Ryding first skied on real snow. By comparison, his future Austrian and Swiss rivals had already logged thousands of hours on glaciers. This late transition makes his ascent to the world stage not just impressive, but statistically improbable.
The Path to the Pro Circuit
Transitioning from the English Schools teams to the Europa Cup (the tier below the World Cup) was a baptism of fire. Ryding made his Europa Cup debut in the 2007–08 season, battling against athletes with significantly more funding and mountain access.
His grit paid off. By 2013, he won the Europa Cup Slalom Series, proving he wasn’t just a participant, he was a contender. He made his World Cup debut in December 2009, but success wasn’t overnight. It was a slow burn, characterized by marginal gains year over year, eventually leading to his first British national senior title and steady climbs up the rankings.
Career Milestones: The Kitzbühel King
Ryding’s career is defined by steady progression punctuated by moments of brilliance. While he has seven podiums to his name, one day stands above the rest.
The Day History Was Made: January 22, 2022
Kitzbühel, Austria, is the Super Bowl of ski racing. The Ganslernhang course is steep, icy, and technically demanding. In 2022, Ryding did the unthinkable. Sitting sixth after the first run, he unleashed a blistering second run to take the Gold.
- The Record: He became the first Briton in the history of the Alpine Ski World Cup to win a race.
- The Age: At 35, he became the oldest winner of a first World Cup slalom, proving that experience often trumps youth in technical disciplines.
World Cup Podium Summary
Ryding didn’t just win once; he proved he could stay at the top.
| Date | Location | Discipline | Result |
| Jan 2017 | Kitzbühel, AUT | Slalom | Silver |
| Jan 2019 | Oslo, NOR | Parallel Slalom | Silver |
| Jan 2021 | Adelboden, SUI | Slalom | Bronze |
| Jan 2022 | Kitzbühel, AUT | Slalom | Gold |
| Feb 2022 | Garmisch, GER | Slalom | Silver |
| Jan 2023 | Kitzbühel, AUT | Slalom | Silver |
| Dec 2023 | Madonna di Campiglio, ITA | Slalom | Bronze |
Dave Ryding at the Olympics: The Road to 2026
Ryding’s Olympic journey reflects his career: a steady climb toward the top 10.
- Vancouver 2010: A learning experience. Finished 27th.
- Sochi 2014: A step up. Finished 17th.
- PyeongChang 2018: The breakthrough. Finished 9th.
- Beijing 2022: The disappointment. Finished 13th (after winning Kitzbühel weeks prior).
- Milano Cortina 2026: The Swansong.
What to expect at Milano Cortina 2026?
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy represents Ryding’s fifth and final Games. At 39, he entered as the elder statesman of the slalom field. While critics might point to his age, his technical skiing remains elite. His goal isn’t just to participate; it is to cap off his career with the one accolade missing from his trophy cabinet: an Olympic medal.
He finished 17th in the Slalom at the 2026 Games, a result that, while perhaps not the podium finish fans dreamed of, solidified a legacy of consistency spanning nearly two decades.
Technical Mastery: Gear and Training
To stay competitive against 20-year-olds, Ryding has had to evolve his setup.
The Switch to Head
Late in his career (post-2024 season), Ryding made a significant equipment change, moving from Fischer to Head for his skis and boots. This move was calculated to find more speed on the softer snow conditions that often plague late-season races. He continues to use Leki poles, a staple of his setup for years.
Innovation in Protection
A detail often missed in standard bios is Ryding’s partnership with Armaurto. In the lead-up to the 2026 season, Ryding became an ambassador for this British brand, wearing their cut-resistant base layers. This “Impact Protection” technology is vital in slalom, where skiers constantly bash through plastic gates at high speeds, risking deep bruising and lacerations.
The “Brit Wrecking Crew”: Camaraderie as Fuel
For years, Ryding was a “one-man team,” traveling alone while other nations had massive squads. That changed in the final chapter of his career.
He is now the captain of a growing British squad, training alongside talents like Billy Major and Laurie Taylor. Ryding credits this camaraderie for extending his career. Training with the younger generation created a competitive yet supportive environment, pushing him to maintain his speed while allowing him to mentor the future of British skiing.
What is Dave Ryding’s 2026 Net Worth?
Calculating the net worth of an alpine skier is difficult, as they do not command the salaries of football or basketball players. However, we can estimate his financial standing based on public prize money and sponsorship data.
Estimated Net Worth: $1 Million – $2 Million
Income Streams
- FIS Prize Money: Alpine skiing prize purses are modest. A World Cup win typically nets around CHF 45,000–50,000 (approx. $50k). With 7 podiums and consistent top-15 finishes over a decade, his career prize earnings are substantial but not astronomical.
- Sponsorships: Ryding’s portfolio includes Head (equipment), Leki (poles), Zanier (gloves), and Armaurto (protection).
- UK Sport Funding: As a podium-potential athlete, Ryding receives World Class Programme funding, which covers coaching and travel but is not a salary.
- Business Ventures: Ryding and his wife run Boskins, a coffee shop in Tarleton. This provides a steady, non-skiing income stream and grounded perspective.
Note: Unlike athletes in major US sports, a significant portion of a skier’s gross income goes directly back into travel, coaching fees, and accommodation, meaning net wealth accumulation is slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dave Ryding retiring in 2026?
Yes, Dave Ryding has announced that the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics and the 2025/2026 World Cup season will mark the end of his competitive career.
Has Dave Ryding ever won an Olympic medal?
No. His best individual Olympic finish was 9th place in the Slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
What is Dave Ryding’s nickname?
He is widely known as “The Rocket” or “Rocket Ryding.”
Does Dave Ryding have a wife?
Yes, he is married to Mandy, who is Dutch. They run a coffee shop together in Lancashire.
How old is Dave Ryding?
Born in 1986, Dave Ryding will turn 39 during the 2026 season.
Where did Dave Ryding learn to ski?
He learned on a dry ski slope (plastic matting) at Pendle Ski Club in Lancashire, England.
How many World Cup races has Dave Ryding won?
He has won one World Cup race: the Kitzbühel Slalom in January 2022.
What skis does Dave Ryding use?
For the 2026 season, Ryding skis on Head skis and boots.
Who are Dave Ryding’s British teammates?
His primary teammates on the World Cup technical circuit are Billy Major and Laurie Taylor.
What business does Dave Ryding own?
He co-owns a cafe called “Boskins” in the village of Tarleton.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Rocket
As Dave Ryding unbuckles his boots for the final time in 2026, his legacy will not just be measured in podiums or prize money. It will be measured by the path he cleared for others.
He proved that you don’t need the Alps to conquer them. He showed that a kid from Lancashire could beat the Austrians in their own backyard. By mentoring Billy Major and Laurie Taylor, he has ensured that while “The Rocket” may be grounded, British skiing will continue to fly.
Milano Cortina 2026 is not just a finish line; it is a celebration of the greatest career in British alpine history.
