HE MAY not have enough to knock Dave Ryding off top spot at next week’s Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships but Basingstoke’s Laurie Taylor is still coming for the country’s leading alpine skier.

Over the last few years Ryding has been the flagbearer for British alpine skiing, claiming a first World Cup podium for the nation in 35 years when he won slalom silver in Kitzbuhel in January 2017.

Then last month he finished ninth in the men’s slalom at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, becoming the first Brit for 30 years to crack the top ten.

Also competing in that race was 22-year-old Taylor and he more than held his own on his Olympic debut, finishing 26th out of starting list of more than 100.

That was in fact a place better than Ryding managed on his own Olympic debut back at Vancouver 2010.

The two go head to head again next week for the Delancey British Championships in Tignes, France with Ryding favourite to retain his national title from last year – a race that also say Taylor finish as runner up.

And after a season that has seen a marked improvement in results, Taylor admits he has been making sure to use every opportunity to pick up tips from his fellow Brit.

“I’m definitely going to give it a go but Dave is still very much the top dog in this country,” he said.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him this season, there is a lot of work that goes into getting to that level.

“He is relentless. In the off season he will continue to work hard all the way through the summer, he does not take much of a break.

“He just keeps chipping away and that is something I’ve learnt from.

“It’s been a good season for me so far. I was struggling to finish races but then I went to the Olympics and to complete two runs down such a tricky course and to finish inside the top 30 was a real confidence booster.

“Then in Japan this week it was great for it to come together and to finish on top of the podium.”

That result in Japan was an impressive victory at the Far East Cup in Russia last Tuesday as he beat a number of experienced World Cup campaigners to finish the overall season-long competition ranked fourth.

Attention now turns towards France where he will also look to improve on the third place in the giant slalom from last year.

The Championships runs,from today to April 6, are the biggest annual event in British Alpine Ski racing, with Delancey in its seventh year as naming sponsor of the event.

“I’m going to be competing in the slalom and giant slalom although I prefer the slalom. It’s a really great event to be a part of and especially great to get the crew together,” added Taylor.

“We don’t really get to race together much as we’re out competing on different teams throughout the season so it’s great when we come to together.

“It’s a great atmosphere. Hopefully I can pick up a few more podiums and get close to Dave.”

To follow the progress of the Delancey British Alpine Ski Team visit www.teambss.org.uk or follow @teambss on Twitter. As Principal Sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard, specialist real estate investment and advisory company Delancey is proud to be able to provide British athletes with the support they require to win World Cup and Winter Olympic medals. For more information visit www.delancey.com.