Flawless Yuto Totsuka stomps to gold in men's halfpipe
Japan's Yuto Totsuka fended off challenges from Australia's Scotty James and three of his teammates to soar to gold in the men's snowboard halfpipe on an electric Friday night at the Milano Cortina Games.Totsuka and Japanese riders Ryusei Yamada, Ruka Hirano and Ayumu Hirano wowed the crowd at Livigno Snow Park from start to finish, with only the legendary James managing to prevent a Japanese sweep of the podium.Totsuka's 95, featuring back-to-back triple cork 1440s, was enough to edge James on 93.50 while Yamada was awarded bronze with a score of 92. Ruka Hirano was the most consistent rider on the evening, posting scores of 90, 90 and 91, but only a rider's best score counts in the final standings.
