Britain's Dave Ryding takes historic second in Kitzbuhel slalom World Cup event
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Updated 22/01/2017 at 19:54 GMT
Britain's Dave Ryding took a surprise second place in the Kitzbuhel World Cup event behind only Marcel Hirscher of Austria.
Dave Ryding of Britain celebrates at the finish line in Kitzbuhel
Image credit: Reuters
In finishing second, Ryding matched Britain's best ever alpine World Cup result emulating Konrad Bartelski back in Italy in 1981.
"It is an insane feeling. After the first run I knew I had skied it clean, but couldn't believe it when I crossed the finish line," he said.
"Between the runs I tried to keep my heart rate down and tried to forget I would be the last man down on the second run."
Ryding even led the competition after the first run and was in with a chance of taking the overall victory - Britain's first - ahead of Hirscher.
"After the second run I just thought to myself 'I've done it!'. Hirscher skied so well, so coming second almost felt like a victory.
"I have so much respect for all the British skiers winning World Cup points, but to have got this result is just amazing."
The Lancashire man was delighted with second place, though, and punched the air after discovering that he had made the podium.
The 30-year-old recorded the first podium of his career having finished sixth and seventh already in a breakthrough season.
Specifically in a World Cup slalom event, the next best British result was recorded by Alain Baxter with his fourth place in Are, Sweden back in 2001.
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