U.S. wins Alpine skiing worlds team event for first time after Norway crash

The U.S. won the world Alpine skiing championships team event for the first time, clinching gold after the last Norwegian slammed the start gate with his ski tips.

Tommy Ford, Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien and River Radamus beat Norway in the finals of the parallel event, where skiers race head-to-head at the same time on different sets of gates on the same course.

The U.S. and Norway were tied going into the last finals series matchup — Ford against Timon Haugan — in Meribel, France.

But Haugan, in trying to time the start, slammed his skis into his gate before the gate dropped. He fell over, and by the time he regained his footing, Ford built an insurmountable lead in the 23-second race.

Canada beat Austria for bronze.

ALPINE WORLDS: Results | Broadcast Schedule

It marked the first U.S. medal in the team event, which debuted at the world championships in 2005 and was part of the last two Olympics. It has since been cut from the Olympics.

Ford, Moltzan, O’Brien and Radamus all earned their first senior world championships medals.

Most of the world’s top skiers did not take part — including Mikaela Shiffrin — many to prioritize preparing for individual events later this week.

Alpine worlds continue Wednesday with the individual men’s and women’s parallel races. Shiffrin’s next start is Thursday’s giant slalom.

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Top 10 and notable results from the 2023 World Alpine Skiing Championships in Meribel and Courchevel, France …

Women’s CombinedGold: Federica Brignone (ITA) — 1:57.47 Silver: Wendy Holdener (SUI) — +1.62 Bronze: Ricarda Haaser (AUT) — +2.26 4. Ramona Siebenhofer (AUT) — +2.48 5. Franziska Gritsch (AUT) — +2.71 6. Michelle Gisin (SUI) — +3.43 7. Laura Gauche (FRA) — +3.71