It has taken 102 years but Great Britain have a Winter Olympic gold medal on snow.
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured their place in history with victory in the mixed snowboard cross final, sparking après-ski celebrations set to rumble long into the night.
Nowhere does redemption quite like the Olympics and few sports deliver drama like the rollercoaster madness of snowboard cross.
In a programme heavy with events decided by the subjectivity of judges, this is simple, first-past-the-post action.
Bankes and Nightingale combined brilliantly to become Great Britain’s finest double act at these Games since Torvill and Dean, setting aside their disappointing individual performances earlier in the week.
There is a misconception that Bankes, a 25-time World Cup winner and former world champion, is the driving force behind the partnership.
Yet Nightingale produced three outstanding performances, punching well above his ranking, to lay the foundation for success and claim an Olympic gold to add to the world title they won three years ago.
In the final, his opening run meant Bankes started just 0.14 seconds behind France’s Léa Casta.
She stalked her rival patiently down the 1,110-metre course before accelerating as the finish line came into view, taking an aggressive line through the corners and executing a superb late overtaking manoeuvre.
It was heart-in-mouth stuff, Bankes squeezing through the tightest of gaps before hammering home her advantage as the line raced towards her in a blur of white. She later admitted that settling for silver was never an option.
“It was all about gold. That was the only medal I wanted,” said Bankes, who exited in the quarter-finals of her individual event four years ago and again here despite being among the favourites.
“I always compete on instinct but I had to go for it. That is the only way I know how to race. I was determined not to have anyone in front of me when I crossed that line.
“It is an immense relief. We have finally made it. Olympic champions sounds amazing. I think you will need to keep saying it for me to believe it.
“I have been struggling for the last week but I finally found my speed when I needed it and made it count. This sport is about fine margins and to pull it off means so much.”
Great Britain’s march to the final was not without drama. Nightingale said he was 'punched in the face' while josling for position in the quarter-finals and the bindings on Bankes’s board broke just before the semi-final.
Sometimes, though, you make your own luck and after a difficult few days in Livigno, Team GB were due some fortune.
“What happened in our individual events was tough but now we have only tears of joy,” said Nightingale.
“Knowing Charlotte is following you down really loosens me up. She is such an incredible rider. She proved again why she is one of the best in the world and being her partner gives me confidence.”
Nightingale’s friends and family watched the victory ceremony before heading into Livigno to celebrate at Miky’s Disco Club, where Sweet Caroline seemed stuck on repeat as the sun went down.
“I will be having a proper debrief over a few pints later, put it that way,” Nightingale added.
Sportsbeat 2026