Jones followed up her shock 2009 result with another win in 2010

Snowboarder Jenny Jones has become the first Briton to win back-to-back gold medals at the prestigious X Games.

The 29-year-old from Bristol clinched victory in slopestyle at the annual games in Aspen, Colorado.

Jones is regarded as one of Britain's best riders but her event is not a Winter Olympic sport so she will not be competing in the Vancouver Games.

She raced with a swollen knee and held off a strong challenge from Jamie Anderson and Janna Meyen-Weatherby.

Favourites Anderson and Meyen-Weatherby did not compete in 2009 and the shock victory by Jones had been seen in the context the field was weak but her triumph this year proves she is among the best snowboarders in the world. Jones said on her Facebook fan page: "This time all the top girls were in it, the weather was great and even my folks came over from the UK to watch."

606: DEBATE Jenny Jones, a successful and consistent British sportsperson. Whatever next! Zer-Matty

Slopestyle is where riders head down a course that is mixed with rails, bumps and jumps and the competitors are judged on the difficulty and execution of the tricks.

Jones included a 540 rotation before going big off the final jump with a frontside 720 to score 92.66, three points ahead of nearest rival Anderson.

The X Games are an invitation-only event but are regarded on a par with the Winter Olympics in terms of prestige.

A number of Vancouver medal hopefuls competed in Aspen as a final warm-up before the Olympic Games begin on 12 February.

Among them was Shaun White and Lindsey Jacobellis, both winning X Games gold and both strong favourites to win their events in Vancouver.

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