Snowboarder Ben Kilner has vowed to keep his feet firmly on the ground despite being within touching distance of next year’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough past 12 months marking his first year as a senior in the halfpipe with a flurry of top-20 finishes and a best of ninth in Italy in March.

Kilner was also crowned British halfpipe champion with his 2009 world ranking of 22nd placing him well inside SnowsportGB’s qualification criteria for Vancouver.

The Banchory snowboarder has dropped one place to 23rd following his first competition of the new season in New Zealand – and admitted he won’t be getting carried away with his performances just yet.

“I’ve always had the Olympics as a dream – it was always a bit of a dream that seemed miles away but now it is almost here,” said Kilner.

“You have to be in the world top 40 to qualify for Vancouver and at the moment I'm 23rd so I’m in a good, secure position and one more qualifying event should do it.

“A medal is my top, top goal but top 15 is more realistic and I'm looking to pick up as much experience as I can before the 2014 Games.”