Medal hope Bankes 'messed up' in exit

In a sport famed for its unpredictability and high-octane thrills and spills, the British snowboard-cross narrative is crushingly consistent.

- By MARK STANIFORTH

From left, Eva Adamczykova, eventual gold medalist Josie Baff, Sina Siegenthaler and Charlotte Bankes in the Women's Snowboard Cross Quarterfinals

Another Olympics, another meek quarterfinal exit for a decorated contender who had arrived with realistic hopes of reaching the podium.

In scenes eerily reminiscent of the frozen mountains above Beijing four years ago, Charlotte Bankes, the former world champion and two-time overall World Cup winner, slid out fourth and last in her last-16 (quarterfinal) heat.