American Wise Takes Ski Halfpipe Debut

American David Wise is the first men’s ski halfpipe champion in Olympic history.

On an evening that saw the first snowfall of the Sochi 2014 Games – creating an idyllic setting and challenging conditions at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park for the event’s Olympic debut – Wise’s first run total of 92.00 points held up for the gold medal.

The night also marked a major victory for the brotherhood of skiers that persevered to see their sport make a huge leap from the X Games, where it was first contested in 2002, to Olympic status.

"It’s been a long road for free skiing to get into the Olympics, and I’ve been a part of it for a long time, trying to get the recognition that we needed to get in," said Wise, 23, who entered the event as winner of the past two X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

"First of all, hearing the announcement was a huge accomplishment for me and my life," Wise said, referring to the International Olympic Committee’s affirmative decision in May 2011.

"Now to be here, participating was a second huge accomplishment, and to be representing as the first-ever gold medalist in freestyle ski halfpipe is amazing"

While the fresh snowfall created a picturesque setting for the new event, it also prevented competitors from throwing their biggest tricks and performing at their peak. At times, a soupy fog added to the challenge, while also making judging difficult.

"I was really hoping for a good, clean, fast halfpipe so we could really put on a show," Wise said. "Honestly, I’m proud of all the guys out here because everybody threw down regardless, even though the conditions were bad."

Canadian Mike Riddle, one of the sport’s veterans at age 27, won silver, while Frenchman Kevin Rolland claimed bronze. Like Wise, Rolland and Riddle have both competed on the X Games stage, the Frenchman a previous champion.

Asked to compare the Olympics to the popular X Games brand, Riddle said, "This is another level than the X Games; this is crazy."

Freestyle skiing halfpipe and slopestyle, for both men and women, comprise four of the twelve new events on the Olympic program in Sochi.

"It’s been a long time pushing for the Olympics," Riddle said. "We’ve had to jump through a lot of hoops to get it here. Just to be here is incredible, and then to get a medal, I’m speechless."

"It feels weird to be here now because we waited a long time for this big meeting," Rolland said.

Wise’s wife Alexandra and other members of his family were present to witness the historic occasion. He is also the father of a 23-month-old daughter, Nayeli.

"Being a dad has really changed my approach to life in general," said the new Olympic champion. "I think it’s more important to be a good husband and father than a great skier. It takes the pressure off."

U.S. skier Aaron Blunck was the first to officially throw tricks in an Olympic halfpipe competition, doing so during qualifications earlier in the evening.

"It was really cool to be the first person ever drop in to the Olympic halfpipe. At the same time, it was so nerve-wracking," Blunck said.

Canadian Justin Dorey said there is a unique camaraderie between the halfpipe skiers that shared the special night.

"We’re all great friends and it’s been a long journey getting here and we’re all Olympians," Dorey said. "We watched 2010 in Vancouver and it was tough because we were so close to getting in, and then we got in a year later.

"David, Mike, and Kevin will be in the history books as the guys who first did it," Dorey said about the sport’s inaugural medalists.

Wise said he looks forward to continuing to push the limits of the progressive sport, while hoping to raise interest and inspire others.

"I just want people to be excited about free skiing; I think it’s cool, it’s exciting, it’s really unique, and I just want more people to ski," he said.

Written by Brian Pinelli

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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