Freestyle skiing: Sharpe sets pace in halfpipe qualifying
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PYEONGCHANG: Cassie Sharpe laid down the two highest-scoring runs of the competition as the Canadian topped the qualifying standings for the ski halfpipe final on Monday.
Sharpe scored 93.00 on her first attempt and improved to 93.40 on her second to send a message to her rivals that she would be tough to beat in Tuesday’s final.
The top 12 skiers from qualification progressed and there were few problems for the pre-Olympics medal favorites.
All three podium finishers from Sochi, including gold medalist Brita Sigourney, qualified, although the 2014 bronze medalist and reigning world champion Ayana Onozuka needed a second run to record a satisfactory score.
The Japanese tallied 84.80 to qualify in fifth place, while Sigourney qualified in third after two strong runs.
France’s Marie Martinod, the Sochi silver medalist, qualified in second and was another competitor to lay down two runs of more than 90 points.
Tuesday’s final starts at 10:30 a.m. (0130 GMT)
(Reuters)
