Charlotte Bankes Targets Olympic Glory at Milano Cortina 2026
MILAN, 13 February 2026 – Great Britain’s premier snowboard cross athlete, Charlotte Bankes, takes to the slopes today in a high-stakes bid to secure Team GB’s first medal of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The 30-year-old, who famously transitioned from representing France to Great Britain in 2018, entered the knockout rounds following a solid ninth-place finish in the seeding runs.
A Journey from the Hautes-Alpes to Team GB
Born in Hemel Hempstead but raised in the French ski resort of Puy-Saint-Vincent, Bankes’ career is a unique blend of French training and British allegiance. Having represented France at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Games, she switched to Team GB citing better support for her recovery from pelvic injuries. Since the switch, she has become the most decorated snowboarder in British history, claiming the individual World Championship in 2021 and the mixed team world title in 2023 alongside Huw Nightingale.
Despite her dominance on the World Cup circuit, Olympic hardware has previously eluded her. After a disappointing quarter-final exit in Beijing 2022, Bankes arrived in Italy as the bookmakers’ favourite, determined to translate her consistent World Cup form into an Olympic podium finish.
Athlete Profile: Charlotte Bankes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (formerly French) |
| Discipline | Snowboard Cross (SBX) |
| Date of Birth | 10 June 1995 |
| Major Honours | World Champion (2021), Mixed Team World Champion (2023) |
| Olympic Venue | Milano Cortina 2026 |
The Road to Redemption
The 2026 campaign has been one of resilience for Bankes. After battling through “injury chaos” in previous seasons, she led the World Cup standings last year with five victories. In today’s competition, she faces stiff opposition from long-time rival Chloe Trespeuch of France and the Czech Republic’s Eva Adamczykova. The technical course in Italy demands precision, and Bankes’ experience in the French Alps is expected to be a significant tactical advantage as the knockout heats progress toward the final at 14:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Charlotte Bankes switch from France to Great Britain?
Bankes switched her sporting allegiance in 2018 following the PyeongChang Olympics. While she grew up and trained in France, she chose to represent her country of birth, Great Britain, due to the bespoke medical and coaching support offered by the GB Snowsport programme following her struggle with chronic injuries.
Has Charlotte Bankes won an Olympic medal before?
As of the start of the 2026 Games, Bankes has not yet won an Olympic medal. Despite being a two-time World Champion and a multiple World Cup overall winner, her best individual Olympic finish was 7th (representing France in 2018) and 9th (representing Great Britain in 2022).
Who is her partner in the mixed team event?
Bankes competes in the mixed snowboard cross event alongside Huw Nightingale. The duo are the 2023 World Champions and remain strong contenders for a medal in the team event scheduled later in the 2026 programme.