Skier Dave Ryding takes home England’s first gold medal at the Alpine World Cup

SKIER Dave Ryding has won Britain’s first gold medal in 55 years hosting the FIFA World Cup in Alpine.

The man they nicknamed Rocket took first place in the men’s race.

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And at 35, Dave, who as a child learned to ski on the dry slopes, also became the oldest winner in a World Cup slalom event.

England has long been a skirmish, known only for the jump of Michael Edwards – who has been dubbed the Eddie Eagle – who came last at the 1988 Winter Olympics.

But Eddie, 58, was one of the first to congratulate him, saying: “This is great news.

“We might even win a medal in the Winter Olympics in Alpine skiing.”

Dave, from Bretherton, Lancs, claimed his first place on Saturday at the Kitzbuhel in Austria, pocketing £80,000.

He said: “I never stopped believing or trying to bring England its first win at a World Cup. I don’t know if dreams are made better.”

Success came just three weeks before the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

And Dave, heading into his fourth Olympics, admits: “Expectations will go up.”

Ben Wallace, Secretary of Defense, added to all the tributes by saying: “Great. That is an amazing achievement. So proud of British skiing. ”

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