There was a hugely dramatic conclusion to the mixed team parallel slalom at Courchevel Meribel, as Timon Haugan’s costly error allowed Tommy Ford to race to victory and clinch as first-ever gold medal in this category from the USA. Canada claimed the bronze medal following a 3-1 win over Austria in the small final after Stefan Brennsteiner was edged out by Canada’s Erik Read.
Team USA caused a huge shock and claimed their first-ever gold medal in the parallel mixed team slalom at Courchevel Meribel.
A dramatic 3-2 win in the big final over reigning champions Norway sparked wild scenes of jubilation, as Timon Haugan tripped coming out of the starting gate and Tommy Ford raced to victory.
The two countries could not be separated heading into the final race after Paula Moltzan and Thea Louise Stjernesund both finished their respective courses with a time of 22.74 and earned a point each.
Austria, the most successful nation in this race, missed out on a bronze medal in the small final which was just as dramatic.
Stefan Brennsteiner was edged out by Canada’s Erik Read, with the latter’s time of 22.39 seconds narrowly eclipsing the former’s 23.09 seconds to complete a memorable afternoon for the North American nations.
This thrilling race began with 16 teams featuring four skiers (two men and two women) competing against each other.
Two competitors skied along each other on two identical courses in a head-to-head race, and there was drama a plenty throughout this intriguing contest in Courchevel Meribel.
The first round of 16 largely went to plan after Switzerland, Canada, USA and Italy all progressed through to the quarter-finals.
But there was drama in the quarters, after the North American duo of Canada and the USA dumped out Switzerland and Italy respectively.
Austria dumped out Germany in a repeat of last year’s Olympic final, but frustratingly missed out of the final following a 3-1 defeat to Norway in the semi-finals.
This was despite Franziska Gritsch overcoming Maria Therese Tviberg in the third head-to-head, as the later scored a DNF and was subsequently injured for the final.
The USA beat their neighbours 3-1 in the other semi-final ahead of their incredible success against the 2021 champions, Norway in this event.
