We're often approached by up and coming riders looking for sponsorship, but it didn't take much to convince us that Nick Southwell was someone worth taking very seriously indeed.

That's why we are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Nick, joining Pat Sharples as our second Natives sponsored rider.

Nick started skiing at the age of 5, when his mother moved to Flims (working for Powder Byrne and then running the ski school). By the age of seven he was in the Flims junior race team, but it was only in 2001 that he managed to quit a nasty blading habit as he moved into the New Skool.

On last year's BUSC Summer Camp, Nick was coached by Pat Sharples and was a natural. Pat reckons that Nick can be "one of the best in Britain, if not the world".

Nick came back from the Summer Camp straight to the Milton Keynes Snozone Big Air, where he took 2nd in the amateurs. "It was a great result, but I felt I could have won. I threw a 540, but fell on my second jump going for a 720."

With this encouraging start behind him, Nick took advice from other pro riders, such as James Vernon, and with characteristic determination persuaded K2 to take him on their team, where he joined other Brits Chris Fecher and Glenn Parsons.

Nick's main goal for 2002/03 is freeride. "I still enjoy Freestyle and will definitely be competing in Big Air and Slopestyle events, but my main ambition is to be the top Brit at the Verbier Ride."

Nick will be moving out to Verbier for the season, taking advice and coaching from Warren Smith. Warren first came across Nick on the summer camp last year: "As far as Brits go he coudl acheive a top level as a competitor in 2003. I truly believe he can make it."

We at Natives reckon the same, so watch out for Nick Southwell. Still only 17, you haven't heard the last of him yet.

As well as Natives, Nick is sponsored by K2, Spunky.co.uk and PoNaNa. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, should contact Nick direct on southwellnww@sherborne.org