Even a slow start could not stop Charlotte Bankes from claiming her second snowboard cross World Cup win of the season in Krasnoyarsk as she started her Olympic year in style.
The reigning world champion had topped qualifying at the Russian resort, which is making its debut on the circuit, and backed up that result with victory in the big final.
Bankes topped the podium ahead of runner-up Chloe Trespeuch of France while American Lindsey Jacobellis claimed the bronze medal as Aussie Belle Brockhoff finished fourth.
“I am really happy,” Bankes said. “It wasn’t my best start, but I knew I had to stay in the right line and then just go on and have fun in the bank turns and have a good race.
“It was a tight race, so it was fun riding. As we have another race tomorrow, my plan is now to recover and then get back to it tomorrow and hopefully I will have another good day.
“I mean, that’s the goal for sure.”
Brockhoff had the best start of the big finalists but Bankes kept her cool and gradually gained on the Aussie along with Trespeuch, waiting patiently for their moment to strike.
Bankes is back topping the podium for 2022!
— GB Snowsport (@GBSnowsport) January 8, 2022
🇬🇧🥇 GOLD in Krasnoyarsk 🥇 🇬🇧
Congratulations Charlotte, making Britain proud!
📷: @GEPApictures pic.twitter.com/aivVXvzw94
Bankes and Trespeuch overtook Brockhoff in the air at the same time and were neck-and-neck going into the next bank, only for the Brit snowboarder to accelerate and take the lead.
It was an advantage that she would not relinquish again, crossing the line in first to extend her lead as the overall World Cup leader to 309 points - 78 more than Italy’s Michela Moioli.
Moioli won the small final on Saturday to retain second place in the standings, with Brockoff and Trespeuch in third place with the exact same number of points (230).
Bankes returns to action on Sunday for the second World Cup of the weekend in Krasnoyarsk.
Sportsbeat 2022