PlanetSKI Meets GB’s Golden Guy
4th April 2026 | Jane Peel, Mayrhofen, Austria
Last modified on April 7th, 2026
He made sporting history earlier this year with Great Britain’s first Winter Olympics gold on snow. Huw Nightingale, Olympic Champion in the Mixed Team Snowboard Cross, has been speaking to PlanetSKI about that magic moment and how he wants to inspire young snowsport enthusiasts.
If you’re a Brit and were watching the final at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, it’s likely to remain etched in your mind.
Huw Nightingale finishing a close second in the four man run of the Mixed Team Snowboard Cross final.
Huw Nightingale at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Photo © Team GB/Sam Mellish Photography
It meant his teammate, Charlotte Bankes, would leave the starting gate for the women’s run just a fraction of a second behind the athlete whose team was leading.
Just where she likes to be.
And perfect for one of her classic overtaking manoeuvres.
She did not disappoint, crossing the line first to give GB victory.
Already the 2023 World Champions, the pair could now add Olympic gold to their list of achievements.
Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, 2026 Olympic Champions in Mixed Team SBX. Image © Sam Mellish/Team GB
Earlier this week, fresh from his last World Cup race of the season in Canada, Huw paid a visit to The BRITS – the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships – in Mayrhofen.
The Austrian resort is not far from his home base and we caught up with him there.
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And here’s that photo referred to in the interview, when a 16-year-old Huw triumphed at The BRITS in 2018.
Huw Nightingale tops the SBX podium at The BRITS 2018. Image © The BRITS
While in Mayrhofen, Huw was the special guest at one of the medal ceremonies at The BRITS.
He presented the metalware to the athletes who, like him eight years ago, had made the podium at the National Championships.
Youngsters lined up to chat to him later and look at that hard-earned Olympic gold close up.
Huw Nightingale and fan at The BRITS 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
Huw Nightingale and fans at The BRITS 2026. Image © PlanetSKI
Who knows, some of them might follow in his footsteps in years to come and be back at The BRITS as sporting celebrities themselves.
There are initiatives to help British kids who want to progress in competition.
One is the Futures Championship – an event new to The BRITS in 2026 for the under 12s – and which we’ve featured on PlanetSKI.
Competitor at the Futures Championship at The BRITS 2026. Image © Craig Robinson/The BRITS
Thanks to Huw for taking the time to talk to us and thanks to The BRITS for inviting us along once again to experience the National Championships.
The BRITS 2026 was supported by Ellis Brigham and The Snowboard Asylum.
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