Bankes, a former individual world champion and two-time overall World Cup winner, was left crestfallen on Friday when she exited the women’s event in the quarter-finals, just as she did four years ago in Beijing, despite being widely tipped for a medal.
Similarly, Nightingale was left wanting much more from himself after exiting the men’s competition in the round of 16, but found another level to produce arguably his best and most attacking racing alongside Bankes.
“It’s immense. I think we push each other well and for me, I know that Charlotte Bankes is behind me and she’s such an incredible rider that it kind of loosens me up,” Nightingale said.
“I know that when I’m loose, I can ride really well and I think we’ve shown that today. The singles were tough but now there are tears of joy.”
They had been seeded in 13th place for this event, despite winning the only mixed team World Cup of the season before the Games.
A large British contingent descended on Livigno Snow Park on Sunday to watch Bankes, 30, and 24-year-old Nightingale, with huge union jacks plastered with their images pinned to the front of the fan zone.
The red, white and blue-clad supporters’ excitement was palpable as Bankes and Nightingale first won their opening quarter-final, and then their semi-final – despite a broken binding for Bankes in the start gate – to ensure a shot at a medal.
And with only four teams in the final, their chances of a podium finish were high – though in the chaotic world of snowboard cross, where riders can hit speeds of 60mph and the slightest clip of a board can end all hope, nothing is guaranteed.
Bankes looked stunned as she crossed the finish line, coming to a stop at the barriers as the ecstatic Nightingale – who had faced an agonising wait at the bottom of the course – enveloped her in a hug, before sprinting over to the Team GB coaches who were waiting in the wings to congratulate their champions.
This marks Britain’s second medal – and gold – of the Milan-Cortina Olympics after Matt Weston’s victory in the men’s skeleton.
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