Cox, 17, upstaged more experienced opponents in the moguls final at Deer Valley Resort, Utah, for bronze behind the sport’s dominant force, Hannah Kearney and American Heather McPhie.

Kearney, 25, scored 25.21 points on her third run to edge out McPhie (24.77). Cox’s best effort was 22.84.

Cox is now ranked 14th in the world.

The Scots School, Albury, student was excited with her efforts.

“I had no idea I would be able to achieve a World Cup podium this year,” she said. “I had a super-awesome day.

“I was in the right frame of mind in the start gate, ready to go, and I executed the things I have been working on in training for the last few days.

“I also skied fast which is something I have been working on.”

Cox, who said she felt “absolutely amazing” after the event, had made headlines only last month for recording a career-best 12th in the World Cup dual moguls at Mont Gabriel.

She put her recent success down to hard work.

“I have been involved in a lot of sports since a really young age and I have learned that hard work pays off,” she said.

“I know that if I try my hardest then I can do the best I can possibly do.

“Each time I train I try my hardest and always try to do better than the run before.

“Hard work is the key.

Cox’s rapid improvement means she is a must-follow athlete in Australia’s lead-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

She announced her on the world stage in 2010 when, at 15, she became Australia’s youngest winter Olympian since 1960 with a call-up for the Vancouver Games.