BILLY Morgan is focused on his preparations for the Winter Olympics after missing out on a place in the finals of the prestigious Winter X Games.

The 24 year-old snowboarder from Shirley finished ninth in the qualifying stage, missing out on a place in this weekend's finals in Aspen, Colorado by just one place.

It was his first competition in a bespoke new knee brace, which will allow him to compete for Team GB at Sochi without the anterior cruciate ligament he ruptured in his right knee four months ago.

“Hopefully they'll have me back next year!!!” he tweeted.

On February 8, Morgan will be competing at Sochi 2014 in Slopestyle, the freestyle event making its Winter Olympics debut, with categories for snowboarders and skiers.