"After 102 years at the Winter Olympics, Great Britain has finally won its first gold medal on snow after Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale took a thrilling victory in the mixed team snowboard cross. Few had pinned down Bankes and Nightingale as one of the favourites after poor performances in the individual events early in the week. Afterwards they had been so disappointed they had drowned their sorrows in the pub."
"But, on a glorious sunny day in Livigno, everything clicked for Team GB as Bankes overtook France's Lea Casta on the final turn to win gold ahead of Italy, who came through to win silver, and France 2, who won bronze. Incredibly their victory meant it was also the first time that Britain has ever won two gold medals at a Winter Olympics. After a slow start, the team is flying now."
"The idea of snowboard cross is simple. Four competitors, a steep mountain, ramps, and whoever gets down quickest to the bottom wins. It is one of the most chaotic sports in the Winter Games, with jeopardy lurking on every sharp turn and ice bank. But if anything the mixed event is even more devilish with the male snowboarder going first, before the women go down."
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured Great Britain’s first gold medal on snow by winning the mixed team snowboard cross in Livigno. Bankes overtook France’s Lea Casta on the final turn to take gold, with Italy claiming silver and France 2 bronze. Bankes is a four-time Olympian and 2021 world champion. Nightingale, born in Bolton and raised largely in Austria, is regarded as a journeyman but had prior success including a 2023 world championship gold in the event and a World Cup victory in December. The mixed snowboard cross features four competitors racing a steep, obstacle-filled course and combines male-first and female heats. The British team had struggled earlier but performed strongly in the final.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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