McKenna riding high

McKenna is coming into form ahead of the Olympics

Britain's top snowboarder, Lesley McKenna, is enjoying a strong season.

The Scottish half-pipe specialist has had two top five finishes in the World Cup so far.

And she also put in a great performance in the US Snowboard Grand Prix, which was held in Mammoth, California.

The event attracted top riders from Scandinavia and Japan as well as American boarders who were vying for Olympic squad places.

I have put in some great qualifying runs and I have proved that I can be the best on the day

Lesley McKenna

In the first competition, McKenna finished 11th, behind winner Shannon Dunn, who won a bronze medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

In the second, McKenna tied in first-place during qualifying and in the final came fourth, behind United States' Dunn.

Dunn's two victories guarantee her a place in the Winter Olympics.

Fellow compatriot Tricia Byrnes took second, with Nagano silver medallist Stine Kjeldaas in third.

Feeling positive

McKenna said afterwards: "This has been a really great trip.

" I have put in some great qualifying runs and I have proved that I can be the best on the day.

"I will have a short break now, but I'm feeling really positive about the events in the New Year."

McKenna is one of Britain's top medal hopes at the Salt Lake City Olympics, which begin on 8 February.

Britain's number two snowboarder, Melanie Leando is also back in action.

She had taken time out after suffering concussion in a series of falls.

I have been training hard on the Olympic course at Salt Lake where I now live

Joanne Bromfield

She began her recovery with two respectable qualifying runs.

Britain's free-style skiers have also been in competitive action.

Teenagers Andy Bennett and Stewart Greenshields finished second and third in the inaugural Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

They were behind Swedish skier Hendrik Windstedt, who had the highest-scoring trick jump.

Three of their more experienced team-mates competed in the Sprint US Freestyle Grand National, on the Steamboat mogul course.

Sam Temple was 47th and Simon Bates finished 51st.

Joanne Bromfield was disappointed with her 34th placing.

Bromfield said: "I have been training hard on the Olympic course at Salt Lake where I now live.

"After coming eighth in the US selection event at Winter Park last week I thought I would achieve a higher score here."