BRITAIN’S Dave Ryding had his best-ever finish on the punishing Wengen slalom course in skiing’s World Cup today.

Ryding took eighth place out of 74 competitors in Switzerland after standing at 15th on his first run then coming through the field strongly with his second, which had him punching the air and briefly sitting in first place with 14 skiers to come.

Although Ryding’s lead was overhauled on the very next run, a top five position looked a possibility until near the end.