SWINDON-BORN slider Craig Thompson enjoyed a stunning start to his international career at the North America's Cup in New York State today.

The former Covingham School and Dorcan Technology College student clinched a bronze medal alongside compatriot Maddy Smith, while Britons Tim Hull and Kim Murray finished fourth and sixth respectively at Lake Placid.

Thompson’s medal was particularly impressive given that injury has severely limited his ice time in his first full season with the programme.

The 23-year-old came within four hundredths of a second of breaking the venue’s start record with a time of 4.73 seconds on his first run, with only South Korea’s World Championship silver medalist Sungbin Yun having ever gone faster at the top of the Lake Placid track.

Thompson, who was inspired to take up the sport in the wake of the 2014 Winter Olympics, moved up from fifth to third after his second run and the former Swindon Town Youth footballer and Swindon Harriers sprinter freely admits the result was way above his own expectations.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic. This is only my third week back after injury so I’m over the moon,” said Thompson, who is one of seven new additions to the GB Skeleton Talent Squad this season.

“I went into the race without any expectations - I didn’t even expect to be in the top ten.

“It’s an incredible feeling to see the Union flag raised behind you and I can’t really believe this has happened. I can’t explain how proud I feel right now.”