Shaun White Repeats as Olympic Halfpipe Champ

There was little doubt after Shaun White's first run in the Olympic Halfpipe finals that he would take his second straight gold medal. White went bigger than any other competitor, busting out a run chock full of huge tricks with seemingly little effort. Every rider tried to eclipse White's massive first run, but few would come even close.

As the last competitor, White's victory was assured when fellow American Scotty Lago, who had been bumped from silver medal position on Finn Peetu Piiroinen's second run, fell on his final run.  Lago would finish 3rd.

Before White's victory run, you could hear him discussing what to do with US Coach Bud Keene.  They decided he would try the trick he didn't do in his first run - the Double McTwist 1260.  White managed to up his score to a 48.4 on his final run.

"That was the best victory run of my life," White said. "On this world stage, why not deliver something spectacular? I feel like I came all the way to Canada, I talked about this trick so much, (poured) blood sweat and tears to land it, and there it was."

Japanese rider Kazuhiro Kokubo, who stirred up controversy when he arrived at the Olympics in a messy suit, seemed to be White's biggest threat. Kazu had massive amplitude and style with tricks like his Japan McTwist, but fell on both runs as he attempted a double cork on the last hit.

The medals will be awarded in a ceremony today.

Final Results