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Dave's Ryding high
A CHAMPION skier from a Chorley village is keeping his fingers crossed that he gets selected for the Olympic Games in Vancouver in February.
Dave Ryding, 23, from Bretherton, near Leyland, faces an anxious wait until January 18 when he discovers whether he is part of a five man team heading to Canada.
Dave (pictured right) said: "It would be a dream come true to make squad as I think there are seven or eight people vying for a limited number of places.
"I have done the hard work by qualifying for the Olympics but it would be a big blow if I did not make it now."
Speaking to the Guardian from Austria and packing his bags ahead of a trip to compete on a World Cup race in Croatia, he reflected on how 2009 was a year to remember.
He said: "I competed at the World Championships for the first time in France and then I followed that up by retaining British Slalom title in Meribeu.
"But I also shared the British Giant Slalom championship with Ed Drake which I was surprised about winning it as speed racing is not really my best competition."
Ryding believes it is a bit too soon to set targets for 2010 season but moving up the world rankings is one of his goals.
He said: "I am currently 110th in the slalom and I think if I make small improvements to my skiing then I can do it.
"There is such a small margin for error between every competitor.
"I want to get the perfect combination of two good runs as you are judged on that basis.
" I have been either getting an excellent first round and then letting myself down in the second and vice-versa.
"It could be the difference between making the top 75 in the world and not.
"But my focus will be on the Olympics if I get there and it will be a good experience for me to make an impression in the 2014 and 2018 games."
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
