White takes Olympic gold ... with a McTwist

Published Feb. 17, 2010 11:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

Shaun White has defended his Olympic title in men's halfpipe, defeating Finland's Peetu Piiroinen to give the United States its third gold medal of the day.

White secured the win on his first run Wednesday night without trying his signature trick, the Double McTwist 1260, then did it on his victory lap for a winning score of 48.4.

American Scotty Lago took bronze to give the United States multiple podiums in three straight Olympics. The American men and women have taken 12 of the 21 halfpipe medals awarded since the sport came to the Olympics in 1998.