The 21-year-old finished fifth overall in the men’s K1 final with Joe Clarke MBE back in 10th.

Leaver had qualified seventh for the final and was in a podium spot following his run before missing out on a medal by just 0.08s, knocked down the standings by Italy’s Xabier Ferrazzi and France’s Martin Cornu.

One of six athletes not to pick up a penalty in the showpiece, Leaver crossed in a time of 91.04s for his fifth place.

“I am really happy to have made the final and being competitive,” he said.

“I did a clean run but can’t help but feel a little heartbroken about not medalling as I was just 0.08s from third, which is outrageously tight.

“I am less emotional now than I was at the finish and so can see the good parts of it now and I have to look at it as a great day.

“It shows how much I have progressed in slalom, and I hope to keep progressing. Hopefully next time I am in a final I will maybe win by 0.08s.”

Clarke, who won two silver medals at last weekend’s World Cup, had qualified fastest for the final but after starting well and initially holding a lead of over a second, he hit two gates in a row after the second time check and missed the 13th to knock him back in the standings.

“It was great to win the heat but disappointing to not convert that in the final,” Clarke said.

“The pace was obviously there, the final run was very quick, but penalties are always costly and they have cost me again. It’s disappointing to not come away with a medal.”

Ben Haylett missed out on progressing to the men’s final after missing gate 15 of the course and finishing 64th in the heats.

Bethan Forrow led the way for the British women in the K1 heats, finishing in 19th place overall in a time of 110.47s.

Ellis Miller placed 33rd overall, hitting two gates and recording a time of 116.66s, while Lois Leaver missed gate four and clipped three more gates to finish 48th in the standings.

Competition schedule and results can be found here.