A CORNISHMAN has claimed the world number one title in the Mountainboard World Freestyle Championship after a stunning display of tricks.

Tom Kirkman, 21, from Calstock in the Tamar Valley, left his international colleagues trailing at the championship, held in Gloucestershire.

Mountainboarding, also known as dirtboarding, incorporates elements of skateboarding and snowboarding, with competitors performing tricks while travelling down slopes.

The Cornishman impressed judges by landing tricks such as 720-degree rotations and back-flips to take home the title of World Freestyle Champion 2009.

The title win marks Tom's return to the extreme sport following a year out with an ankle injury.

He said: "It's great to be back on form and riding with everyone again. The standard this year was exceptionally high and I'm happy that everything seemed to work out for me – the jumps were riding really well and I managed to stomp all of my tricks when it counted."

The event saw the world's best riders from several countries battling it out to be crowned world number one, yet it was two more UK riders who clinched the remaining podium positions. Tom Read, 19, from Malvern, Worcestershire, rode away with second place, while third place went to Joe Dickson, 20, from Hereford.

Event organiser AJ Watkins said: "The event was another great success for the UK mountain board scene. All the riders gave it their best shot and we saw some of the biggest, best and most technical tricks ever attempted."