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Historic gold for Team GB in mixed snowboard cross
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured Great Britain's first-ever Winter Olympic gold on snow, triumphing in the mixed team snowboard cross event at the Milan-Cortina Games on Sunday.
From heartbreak to triumph
The British duo, who had both exited their individual events earlier in the week, delivered an electrifying performance to clinch the title. Their victory marks Team GB's second gold of the 2026 Winter Olympics, following Matt Weston's win in the men's skeleton.
Bankes, a two-time World Cup winner and former world champion, had endured a frustrating individual campaign, crashing out in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive Games. Nightingale, meanwhile, fell short in the men's round of 16. However, the pair found redemption in the team event, showcasing their resilience and skill.
The race for gold
The mixed team snowboard cross format sees the men race first, with Nightingale crossing the line in second place behind France's Loan Bozzolo. This set the stage for Bankes, who surged ahead with a blistering final stretch to edge out Italy's Michela Moioli by 0.43 seconds.
Italy's Lorenzo Sommariva and Moioli settled for silver, their second consecutive podium finish in the event, while Bozzolo and Lea Casta of France took bronze.
Fan support and dramatic moments
A large contingent of British fans, draped in Union Jacks and sporting banners of the athletes, filled the Livigno Snow Park to cheer on Bankes and Nightingale. The duo advanced through the quarter-finals and semi-finals despite a broken binding for Bankes in the latter, heightening the drama.
In the final, with only four teams competing, the British pair faced the unpredictable nature of snowboard cross-where speeds reach 60mph and a single misstep can dash medal hopes. Their victory sparked jubilant scenes, with Nightingale sprinting to embrace Bankes before celebrating with Team GB coaches.
Reactions and reflections
Bankes, visibly stunned, told BBC Sport she was "lost for words" after the race. "Huw put me in an amazing position," she said. "He's been riding extremely well and rode today to his full potential. I was in that start gate knowing I was going for gold."
"It's immense. We push each other well, and I know Charlotte is behind me-she's such an incredible rider that it loosens me up. When I'm loose, I can ride really well, and we've shown that today."
Huw Nightingale
Bankes, competing in her fourth Winter Olympics, described the win as a "relief" after years of near-misses. "For me, it's about showing our strength," she said. "We didn't perform perfectly in the individual events, but to come back and give everything we've got takes that weight off my shoulders."
A legacy of perseverance
Bankes, born in Hemel Hempstead, moved to France at age four and competed for the country at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics before switching allegiance to Great Britain. With 26 World Cup golds and a 2023 world title in the mixed team event, she is widely regarded as one of the sport's best.
Her journey to Olympic gold was far from smooth. After breaking her collarbone in April 2025, she underwent surgery-including a bone graft from her hip-to recover in time for the Games. Despite the setback, she arrived in Milan-Cortina determined to prove her resilience.
Nightingale, 24, echoed the sentiment of mutual trust between the pair. "The singles were tough, but now there are tears of joy," he said.
What's next for Team GB
With the Games entering their final week, Bankes and Nightingale's victory could inspire further success for the British team. Their gold adds to a growing medal tally, with hopes high for more podium finishes before the closing ceremony on February 22.
