Snowboard Cross World Cup: Charlotte Bankes wins gold in Georgia

Charlotte Bankes made the World Cup podium for the 23rd time in her career

Great Britain's Charlotte Bankes produced a stunning finish to win her first snowboard cross gold of the World Cup season in Gudauri, Georgia.

Bankes, 28, was in last place after a slow start, but came through to beat France's Chloe Trespeuch on the line.

Australia's Belle Brockhoff was third on Sunday.

"This is a massive team effort to come away with a victory after some tough times," said 2023 overall champion Bankes.

The Briton's victory was the 16th of her career but first since March 2023, when she clinched a second overall World Cup title, and her first podium finish this season.

Bankes, who won snowboard cross gold at the 2021 World Championships, picked up pace in the lower part of the course to move from fourth to second before taking the lead over the final jump.

"I messed up my start but pushed to the end," she said. "We had a tough start to the season with the whole team. But everyone is working so hard."

While Bankes has struggled with a series of crashes in the women's races this season, she has tasted victory with fellow Briton Huw Nightingale in the team event, winning in France in December.