The British, a historic result at the Winter Olympic Games » The first edition in which they win more than one gold medal

Charlotte Banks and Huw Nightingale they won the first gold medal on snow in the history of 102 years old of Great Britain at the Winter Olympics after crossing the finish line in first place in the mixed snowboard cross event.

This 'cold gold' also marks the first time the island nation has won multiple titles at the same Games. But it is only the nation's 15th gold medal at the Winter Olympics, five of which have been won in figure skating.

The most famous British winter sportsmen to date are probably Jayne Torvill and Christopher Deanthe ice dancers who captivated the world dancing to Ravel's “Bolero” and won an Olympic gold medal in 1984 and a bronze medal in 1994.

In snowboard cross mixed, the first group of athletes descends the mountain while the second group waits at the top of the slope in a competition that resembles a relay race. The team that crosses the finish line first in the four-team final wins the gold medal.

There are three knockout rounds. The British reached the final as outsiders, being ranked on 13th place out of 16 qualified teams.

There were no real signs that the triumph could happen. Bankes finished in first place 13 in the women's test, and Nightingale on the spot 26 in the men's event last week. But everything fell into place on the sunny day in Livigno.

The British, surprising champions: “Now there are tears of joy”

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, Olympic snowboard cross champions in Milan Cortina Photo: Guliver/GettyImages

“The individual trials were difficult, but now there are tears of joy” Nightingale said at the end. She added that it felt “incredible” to have the gold medal around her neck. “It's hard to describe in words. I've worked so hard, I feel amazing“.

Bankes said the trainer told him to go into the competition and feel good. “I had to pick myself up after what happened in singles and do it for the team“, he specified, quoted by Reuters.

• Charlotte Bankes is world champion in 2021 (Idre) in individual snowboard cross and in 2023 (Bakuriani) in mixed snowboard cross, also with Huw Nightingale

But it is another important achievement for the British. This gold medal is in addition to the skeleton title won two days earlier by Matt Weston.

“Something incredible,” Nightingale said. “The UK as a whole is doing very well in snowboarding. … We want to continue and inspire kids to do the same, and maybe one day they can win a gold medal“, he added.

The mixed snowboard cross entered the Olympic program four years ago, and the American Lindsey Jacobellis teamed up with Nick Baumgartner to win the gold medal days after Jacobellis claimed her first title in the women's event.