DAVE Ryding crashed out in the opening race of the Alpine Ski World Cup in Finland on Sunday.

The 35-year-old from Chorley said he was prepared to take more risks this season in his attempt to win a first World Cup race having twice finished in second place in recent seasons.

But it proved to be one risk too many on the slopes of Levi as the Pendle Ski Club member crashed out on his second run.

The British number one, who has twice come close to topping the podium following two second places – at Kitzbuhel in 2017 and in Oslo last season – was perfectly placed after a flying first run, clocking 54.94 seconds which was only bettered by France’s Clement Noel who posted a time of 54.55secs.

Just like this first run, Ryding started the second brilliantly and at one stage, was set to put in a terrific time, but he lost control as he pushed harder to make time back and fell.

It was a repeat of what happened on the same slope two years ago when Ryding set the pace with his first run before crashing out in his second.

Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen went on to triumph in the first of 12 races this season, ahead of France’s Noel and Daniel Yule from Switzerland Ryding, like most of his rivals, is aiming to step up and fill the void left by the legendary Marcel Hirscher – the two-time Olympic champion with eight successive World Cup titles to his name – who retired at the end of last season.

And heading in to the new campaign, Ryding said he needed to more consistent but take more risks.

“There’s a group of skiers who are very tightly packed together and for sure I can mix it with them.” Ryding told Eurosport

“Hopefully I can do it a bit more regularly this year and put myself in place for more podiums. I’ve had two podiums in my career but never two in the same season so that’s got to be the aim to get that consistency to get them in the same season.”

He added: “My aim is to try and be on the podium at every race this season and my ultimate goal is to win one. It’s time to step up now and take more risks.”

Ryding is back to action in Val d’Isere, France, on Sunday, December 15 – the last slalom event of the year – before returning to action in the new year when the World Cup resumes in Zagreb on Sunday, January 5.