Olympic gold medallist Bankes wins World Cup race

British Winter Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Bankes claimed "a very tight" victory in the women's snowboard cross at the World Cup event in Erzurum, Turkey on Sunday.

Bankes thrillingly won snowboard cross mixed team gold with Huw Nightingale in Milan-Cortina less than a month ago - Team GB's first ever Winter Olympic title on snow.

In Erzurum, the 30-year-old was involved in another dramatic race as she finished just ahead of second-placed Lea Casta of France in a photo finish, while Switzerland's Noemie Wiedmer was third.

"I'm happy with the result," said Bankes after her 27th World Cup win. "It was challenging, but I think we found solutions.

"It was a very tight final with Noemie and Lea - got overtaken in bank six - but then I really focused on being clean on that bottom bit and bringing the speed, and really happy to make that overtake on the line."

The win followed Bankes going out at the quarter-final stage in Friday's World Cup event, which was won by Casta.

Bankes is second in the snowboard cross World Cup standings on 313 points, with 2025 Crystal Globe winner Casta leading on 324 points.

There are three more races to go and the next event will be in Austria on 15 March before the final World Cup event takes place in Canada on 28-29 March.

"There's a big battle out there for the overall with all the girls," added Bankes.

"I think everybody is still in touch with the overall, so it's going to be fun and hopefully entertaining for everybody watching."