After the disappointment of their individual events, the joy for both Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale was immense. Both riders were frustrated to have been knocked out before the medal round but came back to win the very first Gold medal for Team GB in a snowsport event!
Team GB drew bib 13 and in the first won their heat, knocking out both Austria 1 and Canada 1. In the pre race profile piece written on the FIS website, the 2023 World Champions were not even mentioned as possible medallists.
Nightingale explained how the first round had gone: "Yeah, the first round was a bit stressful. I got punched in the face in turn one, and I kind of got a bit dazed. A hand just grazed my face. I thought I was crouching back and then kind of lost it a bit in the lower section. But I knew it would be tough."
In the semi final, Team GB again Brough their heat home and this time they saw off Australia 2 and Switzerland 1, advancing to the final with France 2.
Nightingale gave Bankes the perfect platform in the final but she still had to make some inspirational overtaking manoeuvres.
Bankes explained: “I managed to let the instinct do the talking. I knew from training this morning that I'd found my carving. I knew Lea (Casta) was going to pull away a bit in that start section. She's one of the best starters in the world. I just focused on myself and then used the draft and made the right choices.”
Nightingale added: "It's immense, you know. I think we push each other well and for me, I know that Charlotte Bankes is behind me and she's such an incredible rider that it kind of loosens me up.
"I know that when I'm loose, I can ride really well and I think we've shown that today. The singles were tough but now there are tears of joy."
What was the secret to winning the event after the individual disappointment? Bankes explained "It was more a regrouping of our families and the team together and just to feel that home support, feel that support which we didn't have in Beijing. That really helped us to regroup. We went riding yesterday and just went out there, had fun and enjoyed it. That was the main aim of today as well."
Team support is one of the huge factors in successful Olympic events!
Bankes explained this further: "Immense relief. For me, but also for the team. I think that's what's amazing. Huw has been running incredibly well and that just shows the strength that we've got as a team. And to be able to perform as Team GB in a team event is incredible. It makes me even more proud."
Results
Pictures Courtesy of Team GB