Charlotte Bankes Pursues Olympic Redemption in Milano-Cortina 2026

London, 13 February 2026 – British snowboard cross star Charlotte Bankes is in action today at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, carrying the hopes of a nation as Team GB searches for its first medal of the Games. Bankes, a former world champion and two-time Crystal Globe winner, has successfully navigated the initial seeding rounds at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium, qualifying for the knockout stages as she seeks to secure the elusive Olympic podium finish that has so far escaped her decorated career.

Olympic Progress and Current Form

On Day Seven of the 2026 Winter Games, Bankes placed 9th in the seeding runs, ensuring her progression to the afternoon’s knockout heats. Competing under clear skies, the Hemel Hempstead-born athlete is looking to overcome a challenging lead-up to these Games, which included two surgeries to repair a collarbone injury. Despite the “injury chaos” of the previous season, Bankes arrived in Italy in strong form, having secured a World Cup victory earlier this season and a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships.

Bankes is competing in her fourth Olympic Games, but only her second representing Great Britain. After relocating to the French Alps as a child, she initially competed for France—appearing at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018—before switching allegiance to Team GB in 2018. She entered the 2022 Beijing Games as the heavy favourite but suffered a premature exit in the quarter-finals, a result she is determined to rectify today in Italy.

Key Facts: Charlotte Bankes

The following table outlines the career milestones and profile of Britain’s premier snowboard cross athlete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Charlotte Bankes switch from France to Great Britain?

Bankes was born in Hemel Hempstead but moved to France at age four. She represented France in the early part of her career, including two Olympic Games. In 2018, she chose to switch to Team GB, citing a desire to work within the British system and represent her country of birth.

Has Charlotte Bankes won an Olympic medal before?

Despite being a dominant force on the World Cup circuit and a former World Champion, Bankes has not yet won an Olympic medal. Her best individual Olympic result prior to 2026 was 7th place at the 2018 Games while competing for France.

What happened in the seeding runs today?

Bankes finished 9th in the seeding qualifying on 13 February 2026. This ranking determines the heat placements for the knockout rounds. She remains a primary medal contender for Team GB alongside other high-profile athletes like Zoe Atkin and Matt Weston.