Bradford snowboarder Jamie Nicholls sixth place at Sochi
British snowboarder Jamie Nicholls narrowly missed a medal in the final of the Snowboard Slopestyle event, but is still committed to pursuing his passion for the sport.
The 20-year-old hailing from the village of Queensbury, Bradford, caught the attention of judges and onlookers by performing big jumps and tricks, and was on course for a medal position in the early stages of the event.
But later, he was edged into sixth place after he scored 85.50 points while Sage Kostenburg of the US won gold with 93.50 points.
Meanwhile, silver went to Norway’s Staale Sandbech for his 91.75 points and Mark McMorris of Canada claimed the bronze with 88.75.
Recounting his experience at Sochi, Jamie told the Yorkshire Standard: “I was so close to getting a medal but I never went there expecting to get one, because no-one can go there planning ahead.
“But it was an amazing experience, one of the best experiences of my life. To get to the finals in itself is a big achievement. The course was perfect, and I managed to put down the best run I ever did in my life.”
The talented snowboarder wasn’t afraid of heights, as he flew high into the air impressing judges and onlookers.
Jamie said: “You are going high in the air but you never realise it when you’re up there. It’s so natural for me doing it I didn’t even notice.”
Even though Jamie was a few points from getting a medal in the end of the Snowboard Slopestyle, Jamie accomplished some things in Sochi that he was proud of.
Before the finals, he was given practice runs and he gave himself three to do a triple corkscrew, a move that he didn’t do for three months.
The odds were beaten as he landed the high-flying move successfully in his first try, even though he has only done two in his life.
The Yorkshire snowboarder took up snowboarding at a young age of seven, and trained at centres located across the county such as the Halifax Ski & Snowboard Centre.
Grateful to have such facilities offered to him, Jamie hopes that further snowboarders get the chance to pursue their dreams as he did.
He said: “I think there are a lot of people around in Yorkshire who can become talented snowboarders. There are a lot of kids these days who can be up and coming and do what I did, and produce medals in the future.
“You have to be dedicated and committed to do something. And if you want to be a professional snowboarder you have to work hard and go for it.”
Excellent Jamie, keep it up lad!