Charlotte Bankes' Dreams Dashed Again in Snowboarding
British snowboarder Charlotte Bankes finishes ninth after quarterfinal loss
Snowboarding at the Winter Olympics is one of the most thrilling and unpredictable sports. Four athletes hurtle down a steep mountain, navigating ramps and hairpin turns, with the first to cross the finish line declared the winner. But with every sharp turn and precipitous slope, danger lurks. And disaster is an ever-present threat in the lives of these athletes.
Britain's Charlotte Bankes knows that all too well. Four years ago in Beijing, she arrived as a strong medal contender, only to finish a disappointing ninth, leaving her in tears. On a sunny day, history repeated itself. The hopes, the dreams, the expectations – all dashed. Another ninth-place finish. And more tears.