PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — A blustery morning wind had just about everyone scrambling in the men's slopestyle event. Except for Red Gerard, who kept his footing all the way to the podium.
Kicking off the second day of full events at the Pyeongchang Olympics, the 17-year-old snowboarder won the United States' first gold medal of the games.
"Everyone in the contest was worried about the wind and stuff," said Kyle Mack, Gerard's friend and Olympic roommate. "I kept telling him, 'Don't think about it. Do the run you know you have to do.'
"He went out and put it down flawlessly.