Kim rides big 1st run to defense of Olympic halfpipe title

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer ZHANGJIAKOU, China (AP) — No way was snowboarder Chloe Kim taking an easy ride down the halfpipe for her victory lap on her third and final run. Not with the perfect stage — and the pressure off — to see if she could land one of her toughest tricks, ...

Grotheer has big lead at midpoint of Olympic men’s skeleton

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Martins Dukurs of Latvia and Christopheer Grotheer of Germany have a slight difference of opinion at the midpoint of the men's skeleton race at the Beijing Olympics. Dukurs says Grotheer cannot be caught. Grotheer politely ...

Kilde leads combined ahead of Canadians Crawford and Seger

By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Aleksander Aamodt Kilde took the lead after the first run of the men's Alpine combined skiing race Thursday at the Beijing Olympics. The Norwegian, who won bronze in the super-G on Tuesday, leads Jack Crawford of Canada by 0.02 seconds ...

Golden moment: Nathan Chen wins long-sought Olympic title

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Nathan Chen completed his four-year journey toward an elusive Olympic gold medal Thursday, following his record short program at the Beijing Games with a near-perfect free skate that earned him a standing ovation from supporters inside ...

Erin Jackson favored to end US speedskating drought in China

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Erin Jackson shocked herself by making the U.S. Olympic team four years ago. Barely confident of staying upright after just four months on the ice, she was just happy to be in Pyeongchang. Now, she's the favorite for speedskating gold in ...

Russian star practices despite report of positive drug test

By DAVE SKRETTA and GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writers BEIJING (AP) — Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian superstar who was expected to deliver her nation its third straight Olympic gold medal in women's figure skating, practiced as usual Thursday, hours after reports that she tested ...