Snowboarding / Topic 04

Parallel races and penalties

FIS · 2026 / 2027
Last checked: 23 October 2026
Source: FIS ICR Book VI June 2026; Snowboard competition equipment specifications 2026/2027 · Source pages: ICR: 217–221
In short

Parallel snowboard races use neighbouring red and blue courses. Qualification establishes the knockout pairings. The announced final format may use a single run per duel or a pair of runs with a course change; it is not always the same format at every competition.

On this pageThe ruleIn practice

The rule

Parallel snowboard races use neighbouring red and blue courses. Qualification establishes the knockout pairings. The announced final format may use a single run per duel or a pair of runs with a course change; it is not always the same format at every competition.

In practice

In the paired-run format, time differences are combined and the prescribed penalty time caps the disadvantage carried between runs. In a single-run final, the better qualifier chooses the course. Missing gates, failing to finish and ties have specific outcomes; judges apply the selected format, not an improvised restart.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. References: ICR = sporting competition rules; Equipment = technical equipment specifications. Numbers refer to PDF viewer pages. Topic numbers are editorial. Snowboarding includes timed gate races, snowboard cross and judged park-and-pipe events. Slalom and giant slalom reward fast, correct runs; parallel events add direct duels. Snowboard cross combines terrain features with racing in groups. Halfpipe, slopestyle, big air and street style use judging rather than simply the fastest time.
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