The Bankes take Gold at the boardcross at Brits

The Bankes take Gold at the boardcross at Brits

Thu 25 March 10

The first day of the British Snowboard Championships kicked off in style when the Trespass British Snowboardcross took place in perfect spring like conditions that saw a double family victory from newcomers Thomas and Charlotte Bankes, who both dominated all day with super fast runs that were peppered with Olympic influences.

The first day of the British Snowboard Championships kicked off in style when the Trespass British Snowboardcross took place in perfect spring like conditions that saw a double family victory from newcomers Thomas and Charlotte Bankes, who both dominated all day with super fast runs that were peppered with Olympic influences.

Around a hundred competitors gathered to battle it out on the new improved course in Laax. The men’s contest saw some very close rounds with strong runs from the likes of Simon Brown, Nelson Pratt, Tim McGregor and last year’s winner James Foster.

The course got progressively faster as the day went on and the final was a very close match that saw some really solid runs with big airs on the final jump, showboating and shifties. Ultimately, newcomer Thomas Bankes, who held the fastest time in qualifiers, managed to keep his lead and claimed first place and his first BRITS gold medal. Last year’s winner James Foster from Sussex finished a close second followed by Scotsman Tim McGregor in third place. “I wasn’t expecting to win because there are a lot of good riders here. The standard is really good so I’m happy to win. I’m definitely coming back next year for Team GB,” said Thomas of his win.

The women’s final saw some exciting runs with a notable Olympic influence in winner Charlotte Bankes’ riding which saw her pulling the nose of her board up to edge that little bit faster over the finish line. Charlotte, aged 19, had been riding super fast all day and posted some of the fastest times in both men and women, “I’m quite pleased to have won because I’m quite young to be competing with the big ones. I didn’t really think I’d win because I’m a kid so it’s quite hard. I feel like I’ve improved quite a lot – last year I was falling a lot but this year I’ve got better,” said Charlotte.

Trespass British Snowboardcross Results

Men
1st – Thomas Bankes
2nd – James Foster
3rd – Tim McGregor

Women
1st – Charlotte Bankes
2nd – Ivy Taylor
3rd – Kate Foster

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The Brits 2010

21-28 March 10

The BRITS is a unique, week-long winter festival that everyone should experience. Combining eight British Snowboard and Freeski Championship events and a musical juggernaut set to shake the pretty little Swiss resort to its very foundation

Laax, Switzerland
Excellent snowsure resort with a good long season. The slopes are great for freestylers and freeriders alike, as well as suiting beginners. The resort can be slack at opening lifts and the off-piste gets tracked out within hours of a dump.
Freeriding: 80% - Trees & some good off-piste
Freestyle: 85% - 2 terrain parks & huge halfpipe
Pistes: 80% - Great condition & variety
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