MERIBEL, France – Two guys and two girls competing alongside one another as teammates in a race format and atmosphere that is unlike any other in all of ski racing.

Team USA struck gold at the FIS World Alpine Skiing Championships in the team parallel event in Meribel, France, on another sun-drenched day in the French Alps on Tuesday. River Radamus, Tommy Ford, Paula Moltzan and Nina O’Brien joined forces, defeating Norway in the final to become world champions. It was a bonding affair for the teammates.

The gold medal was also redemption for Radamus and teammates considering a painful fourth-place finish in the event at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The 24-year-old racer said he couldn’t have been prouder to share the moment with his teammates.

“I think this medal means as much to me as any individual medal could to me,” Radamus said in the Meribel finish area, shortly after the U.S. team victory.

“This team has been together for a long time. We’ve competed at world championships and Olympics before, and we’ve always come up just short,” he said.

“Fourth place at the Olympics last year was especially tough for us, but we really believed in one another. Being in that start gate and knowing that it’s not just for myself and my country, but also my teammates.

“It’s a special feeling and to be able to win with this team means even more to me.”

The U.S. foursome knocked off Norway 3-2 for gold in a dramatic finale that came down to a final run showdown between three-time Olympian Ford and his veteran opponent Timon Haugan. When the Norwegian got tangled exiting the start gate, Ford had a golden opportunity to win the heat, round and gold medal. He seized the opportunity.

“It’s just cool to get the band back together,” Ford said. “We put it down this time. It’s always a pleasure to beat Norway and just ski with them.”

O’Brien, who has been striving to regain her racing form this season following a dramatic crash in the GS at the Beijing 2022 Games in which she fractured her leg and suffered multiple injuries, addressed the camaraderie within the team.

“I had a blast out there – it’s pretty cool to race with your teammates,” O’Brien said. “We’re a team every day, but there’s a pretty special feeling when you’re actually in the start pulling for each other to win and carrying each other through each round.

“It feels extra sweet to share the win together.”

“EXTRA SWEET” VICTORY FOR U.S. SKI RACERS IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS PARALLEL TEAM EVENT

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