Dave Ryding came close to scoring a new personal best in the Europa Cup slalom in Kirchberg, Austria. With many of the top racers competing in Wengen at the World Cup, those chasing valuable FIS points to get better start numbers at the World Cup, Ryding included, headed to Austria. Ryding was in third after the first run and was looking good for a challenge for top spot. The winner of the Europa Cup races scores 6 FIS points and this would have been a huge result for Ryding if he could have made this.
In the end Ryding lost a little time on the second run but managed to stay in 3rd place and scored a 10.10 FIS point result. According to his coach, Tristan Glasse-Davies, Ryding did not make a huge error on the second but "he was just slow on the second run." The what if is a huge IF but the 10.10 result is now his second result and will help edge his points down. Glasse-Davies added that "this was a fair result."
Ryding felt that he "could do better. I need to ski better and faster to make really good results. Now I have to train hard and go to Arber in yellow."
With Mathias Hargin racing in Wengen Ryding was given the honour of wearing the Yellow bib of the Europa Cup Slalom series leader. Ryding is the first Brit to wear this.
FULL RESULTS