Charlotte Bankes could be forgiven for hating the Olympics. No one has won more World Cup snowboard cross titles, yet once again she faltered under the bright lights of her sport’s biggest stage. The excitable announcer whooped and hollered, urging the crowd to “expect the unexpected”. Unfortunately for Bankes, it was just more of the same.
She exited in the quarter-finals — just as she did here in Livigno four years ago. Even her post-race comments were throwback to 2022. It means Great Britain’s first five medal hopes at these Games have all failed to make the podium. ‘Remember, we are not a winter sports nation,’ will be the familiar refrain. Neither is Australia — and they have already struck double gold in these hills, with more surely in their sights.
“It’s frustrating because it doesn’t reflect the work that’s been done or the effort from the whole team around me,” said Bankes. “It’s been a battle and we’ve worked incredibly hard. I’ve been performing well on the World Cup circuit and at the World Championships over the last four years.
“We came here in a strong position, but unfortunately it didn’t come together. This wasn’t about injuries or bad luck. It was simply a disappointing performance. I feel sorry for everyone watching. It feels like I’ve let people down.
“I haven’t had great speed all week on this track, although we thought we’d found some solutions. I knew why I wasn’t fast in qualifying and that wasn’t really a major concern. We knew drafting would be important and that it could play to my strengths, but I couldn’t find the space when it mattered.”
Bankes looked sluggish in qualifying, ranking ninth — which meant a more difficult route through the knockouts, where four riders race against each other with only the top two progressing.
The 30-year-old eased into the quarter-finals but found herself in a fierce contest. Slow out of the gates, she trailed throughout and crossed the line fourth, well behind eventual gold medallist Josie Baff.
Bankes will have a chance to make amends alongside team-mate Huw Nightingale in the team event, having won the world title together three years ago.
Great Britain arrived in Livigno with seven legitimate medal prospects on snow. This was underwhelming from Bankes, but there remains hope the team can yet improve on the fourth-place finishes of Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes in events to come.
“I’m still confident going into the team event,” added Bankes. “There are no issues with the track, I just haven’t ridden at my best this week. We’ve seen before how quickly things can turn around in our sport. It’s tight racing and anything can happen.”
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