Brit’ Charlotte Bankes Crowned 2021 Snowboard Cross World Champion
GB Snowsport athlete Charlotte Bankes was crowned the 2021 Snowboard Cross world champion at the International Ski Federation Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in Idre Fjall, Sweden.
Born in Hemel Hempstead, Bankes moved to the southern alps of France with her family when she was just four years old, and has been racing internationally for France since she was 15. She has won three World Cup Races, 13 Europa Cup races, is a three-time French national champion, two-time Junior World Champion and has previously stood on the podium at the World Championships. Bankes represented France at the Sochi and PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, and in November 2018 changed licences and now competes for Great Britain. Inside her first three months as a British athlete, Bankes finished second at the World Championships, scored a World Cup podium as well as three Europa Cup victories.
25-year-old Charlotte was first in yesterday’s qualifying and followed that up with a dominant performance in today’s action. In a close final she beat current Olympic champion, Michaela Moioli, who took the silver and the current world champion, Eva Samkova who took bronze.
I’ve had a great week on this track, it’s been really fast, and I am really pleased I managed to hold it together in the final and stay on my feet. I had fun racing with the girls, Michela and Eva pushed me all the way and I’m really sorry for Belle (Brockoff), it was a really tight race and unfortunately, she crashed out because of me.
I want to say a massive thanks to the GB Snowsport coaches and wider team, but also the GB Snowsport Ski Cross team as well. We’ve worked as one team all preseason and it is great that they were there to watch and now to be able to share this with them means a lot. This win means even more after the really difficult year we have all had. This medal is for all of GB.”
Vicky Gosling, GB Snowsport CEO commented: “We have said that we will change perception, break boundaries and take Britain to heights way behind expectation and we are doing just that. It has been a particularly tough period because of cancelled events due to Covid, and despite this, Charlotte’s resilience, spirit, dedication, and hard work has clearly paid off. It is an incredible result for Charlotte, and I want to give credit to the wider GB Snowsport team who are continuously working behind the scenes to help make sure our athletes can compete at the highest level.”
