How do para snowboard team events work?
I · Intermediate · Racing · 4 of 4Teams have two riders. The first riders start together; the second riders then start after the gap between their team-mates, capped at a penalty time of 6 per cent of the best qualification time, at most 3 seconds. The first two teams home go through. There are mixed teams, inclusive teams with one rider without a disability, and dual banked slalom teams.
How it works
- Team: two riders.
- First riders: start together.
- Second riders: start on the time gap.
- Penalty time: 6% of best qualifying, 3 seconds at most.
- Advance: first two teams.
- Mixed team: one man, one woman.
- Inclusive team: one para, one non-disabled rider.
- Entries: up to 16 teams.
The glossary has the snowboard cross team, the mixed team, the inclusive team, the team penalty time, the dual banked slalom team and the World Cup titles.
Tricky cases
Can the jury change the penalty time?
Yes, between 3 and 7 per cent.
How many teams can a nation enter in the mixed team?
Two.
How are teams seeded?
By the sum of their FIS points.
Can a team skip a heat?
Yes, if it goes through automatically.
Why the rule exists
Capping the gap keeps a team in the race after a slow first rider.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed | One man, one woman | R 1411.5.4 |
| Inclusive | Para and non-para | R 1411.6 |
| Penalty time | 3 seconds at most | R 1411.5.8 |
From the rule book
FIS, International Competition Rules, Para Snowboard (July 2026), articles 1411.5, 1411.6 and 1414.5. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIS ICR Para Snowboard and Para Snowboard Classification Rules.