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Beijing Round-Up day 6: Heartbreak for Bankes, Guest takes 21st

There was disappointment for Charlotte Bankes on Day 6 of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, while Charlie Guest showed real sticking power on a tough Slalom course

olympic Heartbreak for Bankes in Snowboard Cross

Britain’s Snowboard Cross World Champion, Charlotte Bankes, suffered a shock Quarter Finals defeat in the Women’s Snowboard Cross this morning. Having taken the second spot in the seeding runs, Bankes looked well-placed to progress before being reeled in in the final stages of a closely-fought race.

Reacting after the Quarter Finals, Bankes said:

“We did everything we could to come here and be on our A game.

“The trainings we’ve had since the start have been great. I’ve been in the top three of all the trainings this week.

“I think I was here in the right condition, and the riding was good.

“Unfortunately, today it was slower than what we’ve had in training and I think it brought the pack together a bit more and I didn’t manage to play my game.

“[I’m just feeling] disappointment. Honestly, just not quite understanding what’s happening and the disbelief.

“I knew it was going to be tight racing, I knew it. I gave it my all, I think.

“It’s kind of frustrating to have the worst race of my season here at the Olympics.

“I’ve got no regrets about switching to Team GB. I’ve never thought back about that and I’m just super happy for the support I’ve had.

“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t made that choice and the support they’ve given me has been amazing.

“What’s hard is that the team around me is just amazing and it’s disappointment for all of us.

“We know it’s boardercross, this is what we work towards but it’s our sport and it can happen.”

guest grabs 21st on Treacherous Slalom course

Charlie Guest‘s second visit to the Olympic Winter Games ended in a 21st place finish in the Women’s Slalom just 0.07s outside of the top-20. Guest, who took 33rd in the PyeongChang Games in 2018, fought against a tough course that saw some of the pre-race favourites crash out.

Guest was joined in the start gate by Alex Tilley in her second race of the Games after her efforts in the Giant Slalom earlier in the week. Tilley was unfortunate to record a DNF on her first run.

Speaking afterwards, Charlie said:

“I wanted to give myself the best shot of top 15, top ten. I really tried and took a lot of risks but obviously it didn’t pay off for me today.

“But I’m so excited with how this whole season has gone and I’m really excited that my skiing is good enough to be in that top 15 as we saw in the first run.”

Charlotte Bankes for Team GB in the Women’s Snowboard Cross Seeding Run 1 at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on the 9th February 2022 at Genting Snow Park in Zhangjakou, China. Photo by Sam Mellish / Team GB.