EAST Lancashire skiier Dave Ryding gets his Olympic bid underway today hoping consistency can help him to a top 20 finish.

Pendle’s Ryding is the only British male alpine skiier in Russia and faces two runs in his specialist slalom run.

The 27-year-old finished 27th on debut in Vancouver four years ago and believes he is capable of a better finish – if he can find his best form.

Ryding said: “I obviously want to improve on what I managed last time and hopefully it will come together for me.

“It is a massive test and I am not at the level of the top guys in the world but you never know what will happen and maybe I can get into the top 20.

“It has been a mixed year this year. I have had a couple of good results and good performances but then a couple of shocking ones.

“I am just trying to find that consistency. I have just been trying to find form and then peak for Sochi.

Obviously you want to do the best skiing you are capable of come the Olympics.”

Ryding became the first British skiier to claim victory in the second tier European Cup competition last season and he is still bidding to retain that title while attempting breakthrough to the elite circuit.

But it is a task that is easier said than done.

Ryding added: “I have been quite up and down this year.

“My skiing is getting better and I am able to work on little things in my technique that can make the difference between being on the Europa circuit and being at a World level.

“It is hard to that and get results so it has been a learning curve. I am still learning and still improving.”