WINTER sports star Brad Rowell came within a whisker of a podium finish in two events at the British Snowboarding Championships.

The 13-year-old Highcliffe School pupil finished fourth in both the youth boardercross and slopestyle categories at Tignes in the French Alps.

It was an impressive display by the Dorset youngster in his first competition abroad.

Brad, who trains at Snowtrax (Matchams) five times a week, also came 15th overall in the slopestyle against adults and youths.

There were 36 competitors in the combined slopestyle competition.

Brad is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Winter Olympic snowboarding medallist Jenny Jones.

Great Britain’s Jones was a bronze medal in Sochi earlier this year.

“It is my ultimate goal to be a world-class snowboarder and compete in an Olympic Games,” said Brad, who won a bronze medal at the British Indoor Championships.