British snowboarder Ben Kilner reached the podium for the first time in his career in a World Cup half-pipe held in Calgary, Canada.

The 21-year old, who will compete at the Winter Olympics later this month, finished third behind France's Arthur Longo and Canadian Justin Lamoureux.

Kilner's previous best was ninth in Italy in March 2009, although a number of big names were missing in Calgary.

"I'm in a very good frame of mind going into Vancouver," said Kilner. "I am super happy," Kilner, from Banchory, added on his web site. "This has been the best result so far in my snowboardig career."

SIS supported athlete Kilner, selected in the half-pipe for Team GB, is currently ranked 16th in the world. The men's Olympic half-pipe competition takes place at the Cypress mountain resort, to the north of Vancouver, on 17th February 2010.

Article taken from the sportscotland institute of sport flying the flag