Gold Medal Winning Bankes & Nightingale Back To Competing

by admin in RSS Social News. Posted March 5, 2026

Britain’s first ever Olympic gold-medal winners on snow, Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, will return to the spotlight this week as Türkiye prepares to host the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup, the first major outing for the Olympic champions since their mixed team triumph in Italy last month.

The three‑day World Cup stop, held from 6–8 March at the Palandöken Ski Centre, brings together around 300 athletes from 20 nations.

It is only the second time the resort has staged the event, but the resort’s profile has risen sharply in recent seasons, supported by major international designations. The centre is located above the ancient city of Erzurum, which was named the 2025 Tourism Capital by the Economic Cooperation Organisation and recognised as the first European Capital of Winter Sports by ACES Europe accolades that reflect Türkiye’s broader push to grow winter tourism. With more major competitions scheduled throughout 2026, the region is aiming to cement its place on the global circuit.

Alongside the racing, Palandöken is preparing a festival‑style programme designed to animate the mountain throughout the World Cup period. Visitors can expect live music and DJ sets, après‑ski events, night‑skiing, yoga sessions, ice sculpting and a range of creative workshops, adding a lively cultural layer to the sporting schedule.

For those travelling to watch the action, Erzurum offers a wide spread of natural and cultural attractions beyond the slopes. Highlights include Tortum Waterfall, the red‑rock Narman Fairy Chimneys, the Seven Lakes of İspir and a collection of significant Seljuk and Ottoman landmarks such as the Ulu Mosque, Double Minaret Madrasa, Yakutiye Madrasa and Üç Kümbetler. Panoramic viewpoints at the Aziziye and Mecidiye bastions offer sweeping views across the city, while local dishes such as cağ kebab and kadayıf dolma provide a distinctive taste of the region.

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