Team Parallel podium Méribel 2023: GEPA pictures
Stifel U.S. Ski Team Looks to Defend Team Parallel World Title in Saalbach
The 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships begin in Saalbach, Austria, with the highly anticipated Team Parallel event as part of the opening ceremonies. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team enters as the defending champion after winning the 2023 title in Méribel, France.
The Team Parallel competition follows a bracket format, with teams consisting of two men and two women racing in dual heats. Each athlete competes head-to-head against an opponent from the other nation, with the winner of each race earning one point for their country. If a race ends in a tie, both teams receive a point. The team with the most points after four heats advances to the next round.
U.S. Roster Change
The American squad for 2025 features three returning members from the 2023 championship-winning team: Nina O’Brien, River Radamus and Paula Moltzan. Tommy Ford, who played a key role in the team’s victory two years ago, will not compete due to a season-ending injury sustained in Adelboden. His spot will be filled by Isaiah Nelson.
Recap of 2023 Victory
In 2023, the U.S. team secured gold by defeating Norway in the final. Canada, featuring Valérie Grenier, Jeffrey Read, Britt Richardson, and Erik Read, claimed third place after a hard-fought battle against Austria. Canada did not enter a team in this year’s competition. Alpine Canada stated that their decision was based on three key factors: the event’s early placement in the schedule affecting athlete preparation, its removal from the Olympic Winter Games program lowering its priority, and the significant resources required to field a competitive team potentially impacting support for other priority events. This decision was made collaboratively with coaches and high-performance staff, keeping athlete development as the top priority.
Race Format and Rules
The Team Parallel event features four head-to-head races per round. Each heat begins at 0-0, with winners determined by their finish time differential. If both teams win two races each, the tie is broken based on combined times. In case of another tie, the fastest overall team wins. If necessary, the higher-seeded team advances.
The event is expected to be highly competitive, with the U.S. aiming to defend its title against strong challengers, including Norway, Canada and Austria. With a proven roster and a history of success, the Americans remain a strong contender in Saalbach.
How and When to Watch
The race starts at 9:15 a.m. Eastern and 6:15 a.m. Pacific time,
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski And Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
First Round Team Parallel Matchups
Click on images to go to live to time
About the Author: Peter Lange
