Nate Johnstone and Holly Crawford have collected silver medals at the World Cup snowboard halfpipe final in Valmalenco.

The podium placing also lifted Johnstone to the number two position on the final 2008/09 World Cup standings.

After blowing his first run in the Italian pipe, the 18-year-old AIS rider came back strongly, earning 42.4 points from the judges to finish behind French boarder Gary Zebrowski on a massive 48 points.

NSW rider Ben Mates finished in 17th place on 30.9 points.

In the women’s event, OWI/AIS athlete Holly Crawford laid down a 40.6 point best run to claim her second podium place for the season, alongside the silver medal she won at the World Championships in January.

China’s Liu Jiayu took the gold with a 46.4 point run, while Sarah Conrad of Canada collected bronze with 38.9 points.

Liu also claimed the World Cup title for the first time in her career, Crawford finishing in seventh place despite missing three of the season’s eight events.

"Nate and Holly both rode really well today," said OWI/AIS Head Snowboard Coach Ben Wordsworth.

"Nate fell on his first run in qualifying, then was able to step it up in the second run, and in the final he fell again in the first run, but then turned it around and really went for the podium in his second run."

"That was great experience for him, to be able to step it up when the pressure was on."

"Holly also rode really well today to get onto the podium."

"She is still struggling a little with her ribs from the crash in Cypress - nothing major - but it's taken a long time to get over."

"For her to finish off the season so well was great."