Kilner plays down chances
Snowboarder Ben Kilner is under no illusions as to his medal chances in the Winter Olympics despite a recent podium finish.
Last Updated: 11/02/10 1:18pm
Ben Kilner is under no illusions as to his medal chances in the Winter Olympics despite claiming a career-first snowboard World Cup podium placing in the halfpipe competition recently.
The 21-year-old Scot heads into next week's Vancouver Games having finished third in Calgary earlier this month but insists he is keeping to his original medal target of the 2014 Games in Sochi.
"Finishing third in Calgary has given me a huge boost heading into the Olympics but I must admit I even surprised myself and my goal in Vancouver is still to crack the top 20," Kilner admitted.
"I'm not going to say I can't get a medal but really it's about doing my best in Vancouver and getting the experience. My main focus has always been on the long term and that is winning a medal in Russia."
Kilner's aim appears realistic given that his previous World Cup best was a ninth-placed finish and also because a number of the best halfpipe athletes - including the world's current top three - were all absent from Calgary.
However, the result nevertheless came as a boost and further convinced Kilner he made the right choice in taking up snowboarding at the age of nine.
He said: "The first time I saw a halfpipe it looked strange and alien to me so I took it upon myself to try it. I watched the Games in Salt Lake City in 2002 and realised how good the top athletes could be.
New twist
"I went straight to snowboarding. I'm a rubbish skier. I tried it recently when I swapped disciplines with some skiing friends and I was like a beginner. I could get from top to bottom but that was about it."
The halfpipe discipline has taken on a new twist in recent months following the invention of the double corkscrew trick by American superstar Shaun White.
A number of athletes have since been injured attempting the move, leading to rumours that the International Olympic Committee are on the verge of banning it.
However, Kilner believes it will be seen a lot in the Games.
"You'll probably see the top guys doing it in Vancouver but only the ones who've had the chance to practice it on a soft landing," he said. "I've done it a few times but not enough to put it in my routine just yet."
Besides Kilner, the British snowboard team comprises veteran Lesley McKenna, who is competing in her third and final Games, and Zoe Gillings, who like Kilner has reached a World Cup podium.
He added: "Snowboarding has always been a popular part of the Games but if we can bring home a medal between us it really could be lift-off for the sport in the same way as skeleton has thrived.
"The winter sports will always struggle to get publicity in comparison to the summer ones but if the team as a whole does well then things can change. And an Olympic medal or two really could change everything."
