How do parallel snowboard finals work?
B · Beginner · Parallel alpine snowboard · 6 of 6The top 16 race head to head, 1 against 16, through knock-out rounds. In a single-run final, the better qualifier picks the course and the first across the line wins. In the two-run format, the time gap from the first run is carried over, capped at a penalty time of 4 per cent of the best qualifying time, at most 1.5 seconds.
How it works
- Rounds: eighth-finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals, small and big finals.
- Pairings: 1 against 16, 8 against 9 and so on.
- Single run: the better qualifier chooses red or blue.
- Single-run tie: photo finish at top events, then the worse qualifier goes through.
- Two runs: riders swap courses; time gaps are added.
- Penalty time: 4 per cent of the best qualifying time, at most 1.5 seconds.
- DNF in run one: starts run two with the penalty time.
- Both out: the rider who passed more gates goes through.
The glossary has the parallel knock-out finals, the penalty time (parallel), the alpine snowboarding, the dual format, the parallel qualification and the run.
Tricky cases
A rider loses the first run by 3 seconds. How far behind do they start the second?
By the penalty time, at most 1.5 seconds.
Two riders are tied on combined time after two runs. Who goes through?
The winner of the second run.
Who is ranked 5th to 8th?
The quarter-final losers, ordered by their qualifying times.
A rider does not start a quarter-final. Where are they ranked?
8th.
Why the rule exists
Capping the carried gap keeps the second run alive even after a mistake. The penalty time gives a rider who fell in run one a fair, fixed handicap.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single-run final | Better qualifier picks the course | ICR 6504.3.3 |
| Two-run final | Gaps carried, capped | ICR 6504.3.2 |
| Small fields | Final of 8 men and 4 women allowed | ICR 6504.3.1.5 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book VI: Snowboard / Freestyle / Freeski / Ski Cross (edition June 2026), rule 6504.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the FIS ICR and the FIS judges' handbooks, updated each season.