Charlotte Bankes’ Olympic medal drought continued Friday after the Team GB snowboard cross star was eliminated in the quarter-finals at the Milan-Cortina Games, leaving another major British medal hope empty-handed.

Bankes, 30, entered her fourth Olympic Games with an impressive résumé that includes a world championship title and 26 World Cup victories. Yet the one achievement that has continued to escape her is an Olympic podium finish. Despite being one of the sport’s most consistent competitors over the years, Bankes once again fell short in the event that has long been considered her best shot at Olympic glory.

Although she appeared slower than expected during her seeding run, Bankes recovered in the early knockout stage and advanced as the fastest qualifier from her heat. But her momentum quickly faded in the quarter-final. From the opening moments of the race, she looked out of sync with the track and struggled to match the speed of the riders around her. By the time she crossed the finish line, she was in last place, ending her medal hopes before the semi-finals.

After the race, Bankes admitted she was overwhelmed with frustration, telling BBC Sport she felt “lost” and described the result as painfully familiar. She said the quarter-final exit felt like a repeat of her disappointment in Beijing four years earlier, where she was also eliminated at the same stage, though that run ended after a crash. This time, there was no dramatic fall — she simply couldn’t find the pace she needed.

Bankes also revealed she had been battling difficulties with the course throughout the week, though she and her team believed they had found solutions in time for competition. Instead, the race unfolded as another crushing setback. She said she had been determined to deliver a stronger Olympic performance, calling the outcome “tough to swallow.”

Her preparation for the Games had been far from smooth. In April of last year, Bankes suffered a broken collarbone. Complications followed, requiring additional surgery during the summer, including a bone graft taken from her hip after doctors discovered the injury was not healing properly. Despite the setback, she returned to full fitness and seemed to regain top form, including a World Cup gold medal win in China just last month.

But Olympic success remained elusive.

“It can be a cruel sport,” Bankes said, adding that she felt her support team had done everything possible and that she failed to deliver when it mattered most.

The women’s snowboard cross event was ultimately won by Australia’s Josie Baff, who claimed gold. Czech rider Eva Adamczykova took silver, while Italy’s Michela Moioli thrilled the home crowd with a bronze medal finish.

Bankes now has little time to recover emotionally, as she is scheduled to return to competition within 48 hours in the mixed team snowboard cross event alongside British teammate Huw Nightingale. The pair won the world championship together in 2023, giving Team GB at least one more chance for a breakthrough in Livigno.

So far, however, the Livigno Snow Park has been a difficult venue for British athletes. Team GB is still waiting for its first gold or silver medal on snow at these Games, with several near-misses including fourth-place finishes earlier in the week from Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes. Both are expected to compete again soon, along with halfpipe world champion Zoe Atkin.