Wise Wins Gold for USA in Halfpipe Skiing

David Wise won the gold medal in the Olympic debut of halfpipe skiing Tuesday, cutting through heavy snow to easily outclass the field.

The 23-year-old American scored a 92 on his first run through the halfpipe clogged by wet, soggy rain and snow all night.

Mike Riddle of Canada took silver with a 90.6 and Kevin Rolland of France won bronze.

Wise came into the Sochi Olympics with three straight Winter X Games titles to his credit.

Variable conditions have played a part in many of the action-sport events. A week earlier, Shaun White had trouble on the same halfpipe and finished fourth.

Not so for Wise, whose first-run score held up as the snow got heavier.