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Team Parallel meets Opening Ceremony
On 04 FEB 2025, it's finally happening: the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Saalbach 2025 will kick off with an unforgettable event that combines top-level sports performance and spectacular show elements. For the very first time in the history of the Alpine Ski World Championships, the Opening Ceremony will be combined with a race – the Team Parallel.
This innovative concept brings together sports and entertainment, making the opening of the World Championships an event you won’t want to miss. The mix of excitement, team spirit, and spine-tingling moments will create an experience that will go down in history.
During the breaks of the Team Parallel, the Opening Ceremony will immerse you even deeper into the world of skiing. Under the theme "Welcome to #skiverrückt", the story of two ski-obsessed children dreaming of becoming ski racers is told.
The show is divided into four acts and features a total of 37 performers. With a mix of music, visual effects, and emotional moments, the passion for skiing is brought to life. The connection between love for winter sports and the excitement of the World Championships race will be created – goosebumps guaranteed!
The Team Parallel race is an exciting and dynamic format in Alpine skiing. The 16 best nations in the overall World Cup national rankings compete in parallel giant slalom races to win the first medal of the World Championships. Each nation fields a team of six athletes, including at least two women and two men.
In each round, four out of the six team members race. Who competes is decided by the Team Captain – a strategic decision that can make the difference between victory and defeat. The captain of the lower-ranked nation announces their lineup first, allowing the better-ranked team to react. So, in addition to the athletes' performance, strategy and tactics play a crucial role.
The teams compete in four runs per round:
At the end, the number of victories determines which team advances to the next round. In the case of a tie, the fastest overall time from the best woman and best man decides which team moves on. The competition starts with the Round of 16, followed by the Quarterfinals, Semifinals, the Small Final for 3rd and 4th place, and the Grand Final, where the gold medal will be contested.
The format guarantees pure action: short, intense races, close decisions, and an electrifying atmosphere in the finish stadium. For the athletes, it's teamwork at the highest level – and for you as a spectator, it's pure suspense until the very last second!
This afternoon is a must for all winter sports enthusiasts – and a preview of the upcoming days filled with world-class ski racing. Be there live as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships Saalbach 2025 kick off with a bang and help us make history!
Welcome to #skiverrückt – See you at the finish stadium!
