Ryding beats Baxter on the ski slopes (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ryding beats Baxter on the ski slopes

4:53pm Thursday 3rd April 2008 in Sport By Andrew Greaves

Local skiier Dave Ryding is celebrating after pipping his hero Alain Baxter in the Slalom at the British Land National Ski Championships in France.

Ryding, who lives in Bretherton, midway between Leyland and Chorley, won both runs, beating Baxter by 1.04 seconds over the two runs.

He said: "This is something I've dreamed about since I started racing on the dry slope at home. I never thought I would do it, but my Slalom has come on so much this winter.

"It has really clicked and so much of it is down to Alain.

"He has been great, always helpful with advice, what to do when. He has so much experience.

"I knew that there was a lot to prove after the first run but I just managed to stay relatively calm and as soon as I was into it on the second run I knew I could do it.

"It's such a different atmosphere at the British Championships to a usual international FIS race, or even a Europa Cup race, and there was quite a bit of pressure leading after the first run, but I seemed to cope with it OK."

When seven times champion Baxter first won the British slalom title in 1996 in Tignes, France, Ryding was a nine year old who was already inspired to race on his local dry ski slope near Leyland.