David
Ryding

Alpine Skiing
Slalom

Nationality: Great Britain
Hometown: Chorley, Lancashire, England (residence per FIS record unlisted; hometown widely reported as Chorley)
Born: 5 December 1986

Equipment

4 entries · 4 categories

Skis

Head

Worldcup Rebels

Head's technical-discipline (GS/SL) World Cup race-stock ski line

Slalom

Reference

Boots

Head

Raptor WCR

World Cup race boot line, 96mm last, adjustable flex, Race Balance geometry, FIS-approved sole

Reference

Poles

Leki

Model not published

Race-stock alpine pole used by Leki-sponsored World Cup athletes

Alpine Skiing

Brand only Reference

Gloves

Zanier

Gate Killer

Slalom glove for ski and snowboard; TPU protectors on the backhand; goatskin leather palm with Amara patch and silicone print.

Setup verified 21 September 2026

Sources

About

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 his career with seven World Cup podiums. Finished 7th in the 2024-25 World Cup slalom season standings, his career-best, and 6th at the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach. 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.