Bankes beats Casta, Chollet brothers share podium again in Erzurum

A delayed start and tricky conditions did not prevent exciting racing on the second day of the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup in Erzurum, Türkiye, as Charlotte Bankes (GBR) and Aidan Chollet (FRA) claimed victories.

Bankes and Chollet denied Friday’s victors, Lea Casta (FRA) and Leon Ulbricht (GER) from taking back-to-back wins.

Noemie Wiedmer (SUI) claimed her first career podium, finishing third behind Bankes and Casta, while Jonas Chollet (FRA) added his second. Sunday was also the second time that the Chollet brothers have shared the podium this season, after Jonas won ahead of Aidan in Cervinia in December.

On-form Bankes takes key win

With three races left in the World Cup season, Bankes’ Erzurum victory keeps her in the running for the Crystal Globe – but Casta, who took the lead after her win on Friday, stays in pole position.

Bankes looked solid throughout Sunday’s racing, easing out to early clear leads in the quarterfinal and semifinal. In the final, she was slower out of the start gates, as Casta and Wiedmer initially fought for the lead.

But the British rider had moved into second place behind Wiedmer by the second timing mark, and then overtook Wiedmer too. However, Casta was not content to let Bankes have things all her own way and executed a good pass as the finish line approached, only for Bankes to find more speed over the final jumps and claim the win in a photofinish.

It was Bankes’ 27th individual World Cup win and her second this season, after she clinched victory in Dongbeiya, China.

“Today’s racing was really challenging conditions, with the wind and the fresh snow. I think the volunteers did a very good job to make it possible,” Bankes said.

Wiedmer was clearly third ahead of Manon Petit-Lenoir (FRA), securing her first podium in her 13th individual World Cup start. The Swiss rider is still only 18 years old.

Josie Baff (AUS) took fifth place overall, winning the small final clearly ahead of Julia Nirani-Pereira (FRA), who had finished third on Friday. Zoe Colombier (FRA) was seventh and Aline Albrecht (SUI) eighth.

Baff had earlier survived a chaotic third quarterfinal, where she and Colombier collided, an incident which also saw Jana Fischer (GER) straddle a gate. Mia Clift (AUS) looked clear ahead of her three opponents, only to also crash out on a turn, giving Baff and Colombier the route through to the semifinals. Sina Siegenthaler (SUI) was also the victim of the challenging soft snow in her quarterfinal, crashing as she chased Nirani-Pereira.

Casta now leads the standings with 324 points, ahead of Bankes with 313, Nirani-Pereira on 277 and Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) on 265. Baff, who was second before the weekend’s racing, is now fifth with 259 points after missing the big final both days.

“There’s a big battle out there for the overall with all the girls. I’m looking forward to racing in Montafon and then Mont Sainte-Anne, just enjoy the end of the season and hopefully we can put on some great battles. I think everybody is still in touch with the overall, so it’s going to be fun and hopefully entertaining for everybody watching,” said Bankes.

Chollet brothers and Ulbricht make up young podium

With an average age of less than 20 years old, Sunday’s podium in the men’s event demonstrates a bright future for Snowboard Cross, with 21-year-old Aidan Chollet defeating Ulbricht (also 21) and his 17-year-old brother Jonas.

The Chollet brothers showed composure in the earlier rounds. Racing alongside each other in the quarterfinals, they came through Guillaume Herpin (FRA) and Valerio Jud (SUI) to take their places in the semifinals. In that race, the brothers got clear of Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) and Lucas Eguibar Breton (ESP), avoiding trouble as Eguibar took the double Olympic champion out in a crash.

Ulbricht and Loan Bozzolo (FRA) also looked good in the early rounds, earning their places in the big final with solid starts and clean runs.

In the big final, Ulbricht again got out fast, followed by Aidan and Jonas with Bozzolo a little off the back. Aidan Chollet managed a late overtake on Ulbricht in the final crucial turns, with Jonas also attempting to come past the German, but Ulbricht had the better finish and prevented a Chollet one-two.

It was Aidan Chollet’s second career win, after victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo in February 2025, and his sixth podium overall. Meanwhile Ulbricht has now also reached six podiums, including in all three races in Erzurum this season and last.

“It’s excellent to claim my second win and a second podium in two races. It’s my third podium since the season restarted, and to share it with Jonas makes it even better and more pleasing,” said Aidan.

“It’s more pleasing because he’s my brother, and the aim is to reach all the podiums with him.”

Adam Lambert (AUS) retains his lead at the top of the overall standings with fifth place. The Australian has not missed the semifinals this season. However, his lead has been slashed to just three points, with 297 points ahead of 294 for Aidan Chollet.

Ulbricht is third with 275 points, Jonas Chollet fourth on 232, and Haemmerle is fifth with 205 points after finishing sixth on Sunday.

The next World Cup race takes place on Sunday 15 March in Montafon, Austria.

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QUICK LINKS

• Race Calendar

• Start Lists / Results - Erzurum, TUR

• Erzurum Stats Preview

• 2025-26 Men's Cup Standings

• 2025-26 Women's Cup Standings