Great Britain snowboarder Jamie Nicholls has praised the competition in today's Olympic snowboard slopestyle final, claiming that "the standard of riding was unreal".

Nicholls placed sixth overall, Team GB's best ever snowboarding result, but was in with a shout of earning a medal after his first run placed him second.

"I did the best I could do. That was the best run of my life," the 20-year-old told reporters.

"I was in [the medal positions] for a while but I just knew it wasn't going to be. The standard of riding today was unreal. To be in that mix was incredible.

"My first run was the best run I have ever done in my life. I landed a backside triple 1440 and that is the first time I have ever landed that trick in a contest... I am just happy to be in the Olympic final and I'll probably be in the next one. I am only 20 years old, it is a great experience, that's for sure."

Countryman Billy Morgan finished tenth in the contest, won by American Sage Kotsenburg.