Two snowboarders racing side by side down parallel courses is about as pure a competition as you get in the Winter Olympics. The parallel giant slalom event is a standout for sure, and it’s one that’s definitely worth watching. It’s a head-to-head competition that’s all about speed and body control.
How to watch snowboard giant slalom at the Winter Olympics: A guide to understanding and appreciating the sport
What time is snowboard giant slalom on at the Olympics? Plus all the rules, streaming information, listings, and more you need.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
It’s also the only Alpine snowboarding discipline at Pyeongchang, and it’s been on the Olympic program since 2002. In a change from the last Olympics, each head-to-head elimination race will consist of just one run down the course, as opposed to one run on the red and one on the blue course.
There’s also the added possibility that the competitors can affect one another, which is grounds for disqualification. It’s not terribly likely, but this is a speed and technique competition, solo runs against another person. It’s very exciting to see.
What time and how can I watch?
The men’s giant slalom qualification begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 22. On Saturday, Feb. 24, the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will take place, beginning at 10:15 p.m. and running through around 11 p.m. The same dates apply for the women, who will begin 30 minutes earlier for qualification and 15 minutes earlier for the round of 16. NBC will have live coverage on NBCOlympics.com.
You can also live stream NBC, NBCSN, and the Olympic Channel coverage via FuboTV on your computer or mobile devices.
Why should I quit my job and become a lifelong devotee of snowboard giant slalom?
Snowboarding is rad. It’s way cooler than skiing, and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. The parallel giant slalom is a one-on-one event, and seeing the swings in momentum as one competitor gets a perfect turn in while another stumbles is just excellent.
What are the rules of snowboard giant slalom? Followup: What’s the weirdest rule?
In the qualification round, competitors each take two runs — one on the red course and one on the blue course. Their times are added together, and the top 16 cumulative times advance to the elimination runs. In the elimination rounds, all 16 competitors are seeded according to their times and put in a bracket. There is a head-to-head elimination race, with the competitor holding the best qualifying time having the choice of the red course or blue course. Whoever crosses the line first on that run advances.
A false start, disturbing one’s opponent, passing through the wrong gate, failing to execute a turn on the outside of a gate or not finishing the run with at least one foot fixed to the board are all the ways one can be disqualified.
What can I talk about to impress the snowboard giant slalom enthusiast in my life?
You can talk about how the United States is kind of bad at the event, that might show some knowledge.
Whose jersey should I buy?
Well ... at this point, probably nobody. It’s an outside shot for America. Maybe go and buy a Shaun White jersey and call it a day.
What is the sport’s AMERICA RATING?
The United States hasn’t won a medal in men’s parallel giant slalom since 2002, and will once again be underdogs this time around. Aaron Muss and Michael Trapp are the two representatives, with Muss earning a pair of sixth-place finishes in World Cup events.
What’s the best GIF I can watch from snowboard giant slalom?
No gifs for this one, but you can always check this video
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