Alpine skiing-Ryding looks to complete journey from Pendle to podium

YANQING, China : There is a curious expression in the German-speaking world for skiers who come from outside the sport's snow-covered heartlands - they call them "the exotics".

Dave Ryding certainly comes from well beyond Alpine skiing's traditional breeding grounds but there is nothing too exotic about Pendle Hill, where he learnt to ski on windswept dry slopes at the side of an old pub-turned-restaurant.

They do not call Ryding an "exotic" any more though. Nor do those who finish behind him in races get mocked by team mates.

Indeed, last month, the entire World Cup field at the legendary Kitzbuehel course in Austria lost to the 35-year-old, so noone facing him in Wednesday's Olympic slalom race will be taking him lightly.

"There were always some jokes. I mean, that's the banter, I don't mind that," Ryding told Reuters, looking back on his early days on the World Cup circuit.

"You know, it was 'Oh, I got beaten by a Brit today' or, 'you lost to a guy from an exotic nation'. Obviously, we're not exotic - it pisses down (with rain) all the time!"

The jokes are fewer now: Ryding is a respected figure on the circuit earning praise from some of slalom's finest.

Austrian former double Olympic champion Marcel Hirscher almost cried at a documentary about the Englishman's career.

At Pendle Ski Club, where scores of young hopefuls follow Ryder's example, the Lancastrian is revered.

"He's always been an inspiration here," said Charlotte Holmes, a 16-year-old Pendle skier who, along with her brother Rob, 19, is part of the Team GB youth squads.

"We always believed in him, but this breakthrough that he's had, it's just incredible. All the kids are buzzing. the atmosphere up here, it's just magical now."

'OUR DAVE'

Charlotte's father John is a