Bankes back on top in Dongbeiya

Snowboard Cross star takes first solo World Cup victory since shoulder injury

Charlotte Bankes returned to the top of the Snowboard Cross World Cup podium with a dominant performance in the Chinese resort of Dongbeiya.

The fastest athlete in the field through qualification, Bankes took control of the knockout stages immediately, finishing in first place in both the quarter and semi-final contests, putting her into the Big Final line-up alongside Josie Baff, Chloe Trespeuch, and Michela Moioli.

The Big Final itself saw Bankes display her trademark speed and racing nous to power through in first place ahead of Baff and Trespeuch, with Moioli coming through in fourth spot. The result gives Bankes a first individual World Cup podium since taking bronze at the Montafon World Cup in March, a first victory since the Gudauri World Cup in the same month, and confirms her return to the top of the sport following the shoulder injury she sustained in training for the final race of last season.

Speaking afterwards, Charlotte said:

“I had a good day today, tight racing on quite a short course. I knew the bottom section was going to be important, but I wanted to make the most of the turns at the top knowing that’s where I could build an advantage up.

“My quarter and semi races both had good parts, but I didn’t feel they were fully executed runs. That’s what makes me even more satisfied with the final, because we knew staying in fronf with the draft was going to be difficult.

“Being back with the win is great. It’s not been a smooth journey, but the support from the team, especially Jerome [Choupin – GB Snowsport SBX Head Coach] has been vital to be where I’m at now. I’ve been fast in training, but it’s important to pull it off in the race where it counts.

“It was also great to see Huw’s speed in qualis yesterday, and today he was right in the mix. He’s right there, and about to pull of a really good result, and hopefully that comes tomorrow.”

Simpson adds Super-G Silver to double Downhill Bronze

Neil Simpson took his third World Cup podium of the week with silver in the Saalbach World Cup Super G races yesterday.

Racing alongside guide Rob Poth, Simpson displayed impressive pace and control to take his first ever Super G World Cup podium, and his fourth career major podium in the discipline in which he won gold at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and the 2023 World Championships.

The result caps a remarkable week of sustained success for the 23-year-old Scot, which saw him seal bronze medals in the back-to-back Downhill World Cup races.