Broadstairs snowboarder James Barnes-Miller an inspiration, says Winter Paralympics bronze medallist Ollie Hill

James Barnes-Miller laid the foundations for snowboarder Ollie Hill to make British Paralympic history in Beijing.

Hill, 32, became the first ever British snowboarder to win a Paralympic medal with bronze after a stunning display in Friday’s SB-LL2 banked slalom.

Broadstairs’ Barnes-Miller was unable to emulate those exploits in his upper body impairment events as he came fifth and ninth in his snowboard cross and banked slalom competitions.

The 32-year-old has been a long-term trailblazer for British snowboarding, however, starring in PyeongChang four years ago and inspiring the next generation of talent to aim for the Paralympic snow.

And Hill insists his record-breaking antics would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the Kent ace’s influence.

He said: “James is a role model. Without him, I wouldn’t even be here in the first place. Without him, none of us would be here so I can’t ever deny my love for people like James.

“I’m actually older than him, but that makes no difference to him being a role model.

“He’s always here for me and is nothing but supportive for me and my journey - and that’s the kind of love you have in snowboarding compared to maybe other sports.

“I’m just really grateful to be part of this dynamic team.”

Barnes-Miller was on the receiving end of some rotten luck in his first snowboard cross event in Beijing as he was wiped out and could only finish fifth.

That head-to-head discipline was always his best chance of a medal and, as predicted, he was unable to improve on that showing in the banked slalom as he could only finish ninth.

Hill was out blazing a trail as he stopped the slalom clock in 1:10.45 to grab a shock medal for ParalympicsGB.

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