Rocket Ryding still out to fly high

OLYMPICS2018

DAVE RYDING is known as the ‘Rocket’ but he did not quite have lift-off in Korea.

The slalom specialist, a World Cup medallist last season, promised a second-run charge but finished ninth – still Britain’s best alpine result for 30 years.

And he is already targeting better at a potential fourth Olympics at Beijing 2022.

“After the dust settles I’m sure I’ll be pretty proud of a top-10 finish at the Olympics and in four years’ time have something to really build on,” said Ryding, right.

“I had a couple of mistakes there that were a bit costly but I’m sure everybody did.

“I came to it really late so I’m still warming up. I’m more than motivated to keep going and keep improving. I have had a podium at World Cup level and it’s the same guys I compete with, so why not?” Meanwhile, Elise Christie is not done yet with the Games – indeed she wants to medal in two sports in Beijing.

Christie could be forgiven for wanting to turn her back on the five-ringed circus after her disappoinments in short track speed skating, but is now looking at the long track alternative. It pits skaters against the clock, not each other, so takes away the risk of the crashes that have caused her so much heartbreak. She said: “It’s an easier sport, whoever goes fastest wins and unless you make a silly mistake you aren’t going to get a penalty. “Long track isn’t funded so I’d have to move abroard. If I did do it, I’d probably try to do both. I still want that Olympic medal in short track.”