Britain’s Charlotte Bankes took her first FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup victory of the season on Saturday as the tour resumed in Beidahu, China.
Charlotte had finished fourth in the season opener in Cervinia in December, but turned that disappointment into joy in Beidahu with a win in exciting finals on a crisp, cold afternoon.
Bankes had a perfect competition. She was fastest in qualification ahead of Sina Siegenthaler (SUI) and Noemie Widmer (SUI), and won all three races on Saturday – beating Michela Moioli (ITA) in each one.
Bankes claimed a narrow victory in the big final after a slow start, charging down the final straight for the win.
Casta had the quickest start, going clear early on while Moioli, Bankes and Pia Zerkhold (AUT) fought for positioning. After Zerkhold and Bankes just touched edges, Bankes stayed cool and found the speed she needed to come past Casta and Moioli in the closing stages.
Moioli took second place with a good finish as Casta tired. However, a second podium for Casta in as many competitions means she retains the overall World Cup lead ahead of Sunday’s round of racing.
“Happy to have found my way through the heats. That was a tight final, some great riding from everybody, and really happy to come away with the win,” said Charlotte, adding, “It was really quite tight racing.”
She said she expected more of the same in Sunday’s competition.
“I think it’s going to be some more tight racing and it’s just finding my way through. I know I’ve got the speed at the bottom and I’ll try and capitalize on that,” Bankes said.
Bankes is now in second place in the points table behind Lea Casta (FRA) who underlined her potential with her second podium of the season in another strong performance.
