Historic Snowboard Gold for Great Britain in Milano Cortina 2026
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale have made British sporting history by securing the nation's first ever Olympic gold medal on snow. The duo triumphed in the mixed team snowboard cross event on Sunday at the Livigno Snow Park, marking a monumental achievement on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
'It's Unbelievable': Father's Emotional Reaction
Following the victory, Huw Nightingale's father, Clive, expressed overwhelming pride and disbelief. Speaking to the Press Association, he described the journey as a rollercoaster. "It's unbelievable, it's been such a rollercoaster journey," he said. "They've performed well in previous races and won World Cup team events, but Huw has never really hit the mark on an individual front. As a team, they've worked exceptionally well."
Clive Nightingale provided insight into his son's early years, noting that the 24-year-old Olympian, born in Bolton, first skied before taking up snowboarding after the family moved to Austria when he was five. He spent years "messing around on a fun park" before committing to serious training in snowboard cross in the Alpine town of Mayrhofen for six months each year.
Family Support and Future Aspirations
A crew of five Nightingale supporters travelled to Cortina to witness the historic moment, with plans for a celebration. Huw's mother, Chris, highlighted the challenges faced, stating, "It's so hard to get to this point, it's a constant battle with finance and fitness, but they've made it." On learning of the gold, she added, "It's amazing, brilliant. No words can describe how I feel."
Clive Nightingale also emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent, calling for a proper development plan in the sport. "It's about looking to the future. The system needs a proper development plan to get these youngsters at the bottom of the pyramid. I'm sure it will come," he said.
Athletes' Reactions and Celebration Plans
In a post-race interview, Charlotte Bankes shared her immense relief and determination. "For me, it was all for gold," she stated. "I ride like that anyway. I had to overtake, I can't let those people stay in front. And I think that at last I let the instruments do the talking, and ended up in the right position each time." She described the feeling as "immense relief" for both herself and the team, proudly declaring, "we're Olympic champs."
Huw Nightingale hinted at a lively celebration to mark the occasion. "Sadly I like to drink a bit too much, so there might be quite a big celebration with my family and friends tonight," he joked. "They know me and I like a good celebration. I'll have a good debrief over the next few days."
Historic Context and British Winter Sports Legacy
This gold medal represents a significant milestone for Great Britain at the Winter Olympics. It is the first time the nation has secured two golds at the same Games, following Matt Weston's earlier success in skeleton. Bankes and Nightingale join an elite group as only the fourth British athletes to win Olympic medals on snow, building on previous bronze achievements by Jenny Jones in 2014, and Billy Morgan and Izzy Atkin in 2018.
The victory underscores a growing legacy in winter sports for Great Britain, showcasing the dedication and teamwork required to excel on the global stage. As the celebrations unfold, this historic moment will undoubtedly inspire future generations of snowboarders and winter athletes across the country.
