Champion snowboarder Scotty James returns home after a successful winter games

OLYMPIC medallist Scotty James has returned to the Ringwood school that supported him through the tough times, and helped to get him on that medal podium.

AUSSIE snowboarder Scotty James made a triumphant return to Australia this week after collecting bronze in the men’s snowboard half-pipe.

The feat means the laid back 23-year-old becomes the first Australian to win a medal in the men’s snowboard.

Only back in the country a matter of days, James returned to where it all began, appearing to speak to Tintern Grammar students in Ringwood.

James was quick to thank teachers and students for their support throughout his time in PyeongChang.

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Scotty James with his Bronze Medal heads back to his old school, Tintern Grammar in Ringwood, for a visit. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“All of the support means the world to me,” he said.

The internationally renowned snowboarder said all of the letters, video messages and notes he received from those at Tintern Grammar will be cherished.

“It’s honestly been absolutely awesome”.

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James during the Men’s Halfpipe Final. Picture: AAP

With his bronze medal at Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. Picture: Getty

Junior boys school head Adam Kenny along with the students of Tintern Grammar presented the three-time winter Olympian with a special school medal for his outstanding performance.

Alongside the down to earth snowboarder on the day was girlfriend Ivy Miller, dad Phil and mum Celia.

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Scotty James during his school days. Picture: Alex Coppel.

He was quick to thank teachers and students for their support. Picture: Alex Coppel.

When shown footage of his feats and emotional aftermath, the Warrandyte native said he could not contain himself.

“Just seeing my family after everything we had been through, getting to celebrate with them straight after was absolutely incredible,” he said.

“I was on the podium with competitors from the USA and Japan, who are absolute powerhouses in the snowboarding events.

“To see the Australian flag raised alongside them is a memory I’ll never forget”.

After being asked by students about if he ever faced self-doubt, James shared some of the struggles he endured after dominating junior competitions before crashing back down to earth when promoted to the men’s class at just 14-years-old.

“I was travelling the world as a junior world champion and winning basically everything. I was on top of the world,” he said.

But James’ dream of continuing that run ended quickly after entering the men’s draw.

Facing much stronger competition, he now faced the uncomfortable situation of no longer being in contention.

On the podium. Picture: AAP

“Expectations began to mount and I had sponsors and people asking me why I wasn’t winning anymore,” he said.

James said the pressure to perform began to be so great that he returned home from a tournament at just 15-years-old and told his mum he was going to leave the sport.

“I wasn’t enjoying competing anymore. I had never experienced losing before and now that people were expecting me to win, I became uncomfortable,” he said.

But support from his family and school helped rejuvenate his love for the snow and got him back into competing.

“I can’t thank my family and friends enough for everything they have done to help me get to where I am now. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them,” James said.

Not one to rest on his laurels, James now has his sights firmly set on competing in next month’s US Open event in Colorado.

When asked if he was content with what he has achieved, James said the best is yet to come.

“I have some moves that I’ve been working on with my coach that I didn’t get the chance to use in PyeongChang,” he said.

“I may have to save the tricks for next time in China”.