Noble Claims Top Spot Among Team GB Skiers in Giant Slalom
Andy Noble was the highest placed Team GB finisher in today’s (Tuesday) giant slalom at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Noble, who like team-mate Dave Ryding was making his Olympic Winter Games debut today, finished 36th after the two runs of giant slalom 7.02 seconds off the winning time of Switzerland’s Carlo Janka.
The 25-year-old from Edinburgh was 38th after the first run with a time of 1:20.79 and climbed a couple of places on the second clocking 1:24.06.
“Conditions were a bit tougher for the second run. I was just happy to be in the finish and to have skied reasonably,” said Noble.
"There's a healthy competition between the British skiers. We're friends, we cheer each other on and we're proud of each other."
Ed Drake finished just behind Noble in 37th after climbing from 43rd place after the first. It was the Kingston-Upon-Thames skier’s fourth and final event of Vancouver 2010.
His runs of 1:21.65 and 1:23.48 put him 7.30 seconds behind the gold medallist. "I gave it a good shot on my second run. I didn't really have anything to lose,” said Drake, who has clearly enjoyed his first Olympic Winter Games.
"This is where the top of the top are and where the best of the best show their stuff. It's a good example to us and to the rest of the Brits where we want to be.
“This was a bonus race for me. I’ve done my main races, so I could relax a bit more and enjoy it today.”
Lancashire skier Dave Ryding (pictured) ended the day in 47th, two places higher than his position at the halfway mark. His times of 1:21.97 and 1:26.06 put him 10.20 seconds off the lead.
He had to recover from hitting a gate at the top of his second run. "I skied really well after that, but it was a bit too late,” he said. "Hopefully this will be a springboard for the future. I should be at my peak in four or eight years. There's no reason why I can't challenge the big boys, but just not today."
Drake has now completed his programme at Vancouver 2010, but Noble and Ryding return to action in the slalom on Saturday 27 February – the final day of Alpine skiing at the Games.
Notes to editors:
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