Andrew Burton has produced the highest placing of his World Cup career, finishing one spot off the podium in the penultimate event of the season in Lake Placid, New York.

Burton's fourth placing came in a field that was missing a number of the world's top riders, but his 39.4 score from the judges signified a return to the form that was unfortunately missing in Torino.

The Newcastle rider placed 32nd in the 2006 Games competition, scoring just 21.6 points from his second qualifying run.

The Lake Placid event was won by US rider Tommy Czeschin on 44.1 points, with the silver medal going to Germany's Jan Michaelis on 43.3 points and bronze going to Japan's Takahiro Ishihara on 40.4 points.

Rookie Australian riders Ben Johnson finished in 20th place on 25.0 points, with Nathan Johnstone in 26th place on 17.0 points.

Unfortunately Burton could not replicate his Lake Placid form at the World Cup final in Furano, Japan, finishing in 18th place with a best result of 28.7 points.

He ended the season in 13th place on the World Cup standings with 1664 points, while Holly Crawford finished in 15th place in the Women's World Cup standings.

Michaelis took the World Cup crown with 4560 points from team-mate Xaver Hoffmann on 3560 points.