American White wins halfpipe gold; Kokubo, Aono finish 8th, 9th

Owait, nvm, he did 8D

Kohei Kudo didn't make it to the finals.... Finals start at 12:15pm today (Japan time)

Thank god. It means we'll get to see the event.

Lol, kokubo just bit the dust. No medal for you!

Exciting sport. Lots of 1080s and McTwists. Loved the French snowboarders' diamond motif uniforms.

but you must admit that kokubo was good.

The Japanese guys aren't even in the same league as the top riders

The saddest part about all this for Kokubo is that people are going to blame his attitude if he loses (I think he's already out of contention, isn't he?), but praise it if he wins. Anyway, like I said, he prepared himself well for the face-saving before the Games opened by claimig he considers them 'just another snow-boarding chance (ie. nothing special)'.

At least we're going to be able to see it on terrestrial TV (those of us not working, that is).

The Japanese guys aren't even in the same league as the top riders

have you ever watched the world championships? aono ryo won last year and he also won numerous world cups. it sounds like you don't know anything about the sport, yet you're making negative comments like you're an expert. how lame...

"The Japanese guys aren't even in the same league as the top riders"

Didn't Kokubo place 3rd at the Winter X Games a few weeks ago??

8,and 9th. Good effort lads. Aono could have got Bronze if he'd done as well as he did in the qualifiers.

Kokubo just face planted! Hehehehe! Must be those Jigga dreadlocks! Loose the locks and grab a frock! hope he gets a meddle next time, but he`s gotta focus on the attitude and not the image!

Japan missed two medals, finishing at 8th and 9th !

Game, set, Shaun White! Lago in for a bronze!

Very strange watching the 2nd run. Kokubo and Aono did awesome, but couldn't land their last trick, stumbling past the green line. It's as if they recognised the line means "finished," and just stopped trying after they crossed it.

happy to see Kokubo face plat! Tuck your shirt in next time and stop trying to pose...

Great 2nd run by Shaun White! Nobody does the McTwist better than him. I also loved the little piece NHK did on Shaun where he talked about his take on snowboarding and how he feels "practice just means going out there and having fun". He also said that he just loves the Japanese snack "カール". Congrats to you, Shaun "The Animal" White!

That guy is like a cool version of Carrot Top!!

I recommend you download some of Shaun White's boarding videos. At 14 years old, he was better at snowboarding and skateboarding than I will ever be in my whole life--and probably you too!

Man, I so hate that I couldn't catch this at work! Definitely one I'll check out later, though. Awesome job, Shaun, and no shoddy effort by Lago either (and of course the second place snowboarder). No debating who's the best in this event; and an awesome day all around for the US in particular.

The field was Shaun white, and the rest. The guy was awesome today, untouchable. The Japanese boarders seemed a bit nervous on the runs and made some basic errors.

happy to see Kokubo face plat! Tuck your shirt in next time and stop trying to pose...

Happy to see someone land on their face while trying something extremely difficult?

Were you really that pissed that he didn't tuck his shirt in or are you bitter about your own lack of sporting abilities?

Remember that the guy that didn't tuck his shirt in beat the guy that did...

Getting ready to close the night, he debated with his coaches for a minute, then made the decision to go for it.

Loved it when he jokingly said, "I dunno, should I just go down the middle?" Congrats Shaun, you rocked!

TanakaTaro at 03:57 PM JST - 18th February Were you really that pissed that he didn't tuck his shirt in or are you bitter about your own lack of sporting abilities?

I was happy he did a face plant. Not because he was trying hard but because he was being such an a$$. Not happy with the dress code? Fine. Acting immature at a press conference and giving an entirely unconvincing apology while being angry about having to do it? Not cool.

Karma has taught him a lesson. Karma, and Shaun White, that is...

Shaun White is in a league of his own. Kokubo did very well, and was probably a fall away from a medal. People should get over his wardrobe mistake and stop taking themselves so seriously. I'm sure he realizes that he screwed up. Give the KID a break.

Shaun boards consistently at high levels during the big shows. A big congrats! Japanese boarders need more time and maturity. Too bad about the fall for Kokubo. Those things happen.

The Whites and Lindsey Vonn lead the way for the U.S. back atop the medal standings!

I find him cool, especially his classical quote "hansei shite imasu."

"the dangerous, spiraling Double McTwist 1260"

Why would the IOC sanction a dangerous event?

sarge wrote:

"the dangerous, spiraling Double McTwist 1260 Why would the IOC sanction a dangerous event?"

Because they know that snowboarding events help their ratings and profits spiral to the stratosphere, and the more daring, the more dough in their pockets and those of the TV networks.

Kokubo was actually not half bad. Shaun White, though, was in a league of his own. Just the sheer height he reaches is mesmerizing.

I find him cool, especially his classical quote "hansei shite imasu."

He was especially cool during his post-faceplant interview where, with blood smeared across his mouth, he once again dismissed the Olympics as 'just another competition' and walked off into the darkness.