Bolton snowboard star Huw Nightingale explains why leaves Winter Olympic debut with head held high

Bolton snowboarder Huw Nightingale was stoked to give his Olympic debut a shot in the arm with sixth place in the mixed team boardercross alongside Charlotte Bankes.

Making just his second ever start in a mixed team event and first alongside Bankes, the 20-year-old looked an old hand in reaching the small final.

The event - making its debut at the Olympic Games - sees men compete first and the subsequent time advantage transferred to his female team-mate, who tries to catch up or increase the lead.

Bankes overturned a 1.51-second deficit to take quarter-final victory by 0.13s, stamping their intentions on the draw and putting them in the hunt for medals.

Nightingale said: "When you're so far behind, in your mind, you think you should just give up.

"Knowing Charlotte is still up there and knowing I can do the best possible time for her, it gives me motivation to know she's also giving her best to try to get whatever we can get.

“It was really nerve-wracking to see her catching up with the others. I know Charlotte doesn't fall, so I can always trust on her.

“It was just nervy to be honest, just standing there watching the big screen and hopefully she comes down first!”

The semi-final saw a strong Italian team and eventual bronze medallist Canada jump out in front.

Bankes still made up more time than the quarter-final, cutting a 3.34s gap to 1.38s, but crossed the line third and advanced to the small final, where they combined to finish second.

Both Brits suffered disappointment in their individual competitions, exiting in the quarter-finals, particularly Bankes as reigning world champion.

"It was tough because nobody was really expecting Charlotte to go out," he said.

"With me, I thought I could have done a bit better but