Charlotte Bankes: Olympic Heartbreak in Milano Cortina 2026
London, 15 February 2026 – British snowboard cross star Charlotte Bankes has faced further Olympic frustration at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Despite entering the competition as a primary medal hope for Team GB, the former world champion was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the individual event on 13 February, eventually finishing in ninth place. Bankes, who battled back from a broken collarbone sustained in 2025 to compete in Italy, described the result as “cruel” as her wait for an individual Olympic medal continues.
Mixed Team Final Hopes
While the individual event ended in disappointment, Bankes returned to the snow today, 15 February, for the mixed team snowboard cross alongside partner Huw Nightingale. The duo, who are the reigning 2023 World Champions in this discipline, successfully navigated a high-pressure quarter-final—overcoming a 1.09-second penalty—to progress through the semi-finals. They are currently competing in the final as Team GB searches for its first major successes of these Games.
Career Resilience and Transition
Bankes’ journey to her fourth Olympic Games has been defined by both elite success and physical recovery. After representing France in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, she switched allegiance to Great Britain in 2018. She made history in 2021 by becoming Britain’s first snowboarding world champion. Her preparation for the 2026 Games was severely hampered by a collarbone injury during the 2025 season, requiring two surgeries to ensure she could compete in Italy.
Key Facts: Charlotte Bankes
The following table outlines the career milestones and current standing of the Team GB snowboarder.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (formerly represented France) |
| Primary Discipline | Snowboard Cross (SBX) |
| World Championship Gold | 2021 (Individual), 2023 (Mixed Team) |
| Crystal Globes | 2021-22, 2022-23 World Cup Overall Winner |
| 2026 Individual Result | 9th Place (Quarter-final exit) |
| Olympic Appearances | Four (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Charlotte Bankes switch from France to Great Britain?
Bankes, who was born in Hertfordshire but moved to France as a child, chose to represent Great Britain from 2018 onwards to access different coaching structures and return to her birth nation’s sporting fold after a decade with the French team.
What happened in the 2026 individual quarter-finals?
Despite qualifying strongly, Bankes struggled in her quarter-final heat on 13 February 2026. She was unable to recover from an early disadvantage in the race, leading to her exit at the same stage she reached during the Beijing 2022 Games.
Is she still competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes. Following her individual exit, she is currently competing in the mixed team snowboard cross event with Huw Nightingale, with the final rounds taking place today, 15 February 2026.