David Wise of US wins Olympic gold in ski halfpipe

Feb. 18, 2014: David Wise of the United States reacts after a run during the men's ski halfpipe final at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, at the 2014 Winter Olympics. (AP)

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia – 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.