MAMMOTH LAKE, Calif. (AP) — Shaun White is all but assured of another shot at Olympic halfpipe gold.
And White’s latest trick looks ready to lead the charge for a three-peat.
White dominated Friday afternoon’s qualifying event at Mammoth Mountain, posting a score of 98.6 to move closer to one of the four spots on the U.S. Olympic halfpipe team.
The two-time gold medalist landed the frontside double-cork 1440 in competition for the first time in the run-up to next month’s winter games in Sochi, Russia.
Olympic bronze medalist Scotty Lago finished second while Taylor Gold was third.
White sat out the first qualifying event on Friday to rest after crashing during a slopestyle event on Thursday. He rebounded to earn a spot on the U.S. slopestyle team late Thursday night.
