Laurie Taylor: GEPA pictures
This weekend delivered one of Britain’s strongest collective performances in FIS Alpine World Cup slalom, highlighted by personal bests, three athletes in the points and a World Cup debutant.
Historic Day for British Slalom
The Brits opened the season in a promising position after the first run with Dave Ryding in 11th, Laurie Taylor 15th and Billy Major 19th. If British ski racing fans were encouraged at the halfway mark, the final results gave them even more to cheer for.
Taylor Delivers the Fastest Second Run
Laurie Taylor attacked the second run with clean, dynamic skiing and produced the fastest time of the field. His charge gained him 12 positions and lifted him to a career-best fourth place, missing his first World Cup podium by just four hundredths of a second behind Finland’s Eduard Hallberg.
Taylor said, “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, kind of just hard to believe, but it’s been going really well in training with all of us for the last couple of years so just piecing things together, step-by-step and to do it in the first race is pretty incredible. I kind of wanted to build in and I was happy with a top 20 for the first race so I’m over the moon.
“Billy and I have learnt so much from Dave over the years and it’s strange knowing this is his last year. It does feel like it’s time for us to step up and take on all the things we’ve learnt along the way, keep British skiing moving along that path.”
Ryding Opens His Farewell Season Strong
For the first time in history, two British athletes finished inside the top seven of a World Cup slalom. Ryding capped the day with a strong seventh-place finish as he begins his farewell season. The result surpasses the duo’s breakthrough in Aspen March 2024, when Taylor finished eighth and Ryding seventh.
Ryding said, “You give me a top ten to start the season and I’ll take it any day of the week. With Laurie fourth and three in the top 30 at the first race, it shows we’re in great form and in a great position to kick on. The most important thing is to put points on the board in the first race. We’re up and running now.
“I’ve seen these boys for five years in training. Their skiing is there; World Cup racing is about more than just skiing. They push me like crazy, and I’m still going because of them. It’s a really sweet day to see a fourth place from another Brit. I know that when I stop, Britain is going to go from strength to strength.”
Major Adds a Third Brit to the Points
Billy Major rounded out the team’s performance, giving Britain three athletes inside the top 30 once again. He finished 28th after a second run mistake on the steep pitch of the Levi Black but remained upbeat about the team’s direction.
Major said, “Frustrating second run for me, but the second run’s not about me—it’s about Laurie and Dave. Unreal from Laurie, and no one deserves it more. He was so close to a podium; I thought he had it. Today shows the level we’ve got, and it’s an exciting season ahead. We’ve been toying with it for the past few seasons, and things are starting to click.”
Carrick-Smith Makes His World Cup Debut
Luca Carrick-Smith made his World Cup debut, marking the first time four Brits have started the same World Cup race. He opened with the 14th-fastest first sector before skiing out, showing promising speed in a high-pressure environment.
British Women Also Active in Levi
Victoria Palla represented Britain in the women’s slalom, starting with bib 62 and finishing the first run in 61st. She will aim for future World Cup opportunities as the tour returns to Central Europe and North America.
Next Up: Gurgl and Europa Cup Action
Ryding, Taylor and Major will race again in Gurgl on Saturday, carrying strong early-season momentum into the second slalom of the year.
Luca and his brother Will Carrick-Smith will remain in Levi for the first Europa Cup slalom of the season on Friday, Nov. 21, as Luca looks to build from his World Cup debut.
About the Author: Matt Garcka
