Americans make history on halfpipe

AP Sports WriterPARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- Americans Ross Powers, Danny Kass and J.J. Thomas made history on the halfpipe Monday, giving the United States its first medals sweep in the Winter Olympics in 46 years.

Soaring 10 and 15 feet above the hollowed-out snow chute on a gorgeous sun-kissed day, the three youngsters put together the first U.S. winter sweep since the 1956 men's figure skating team in Cortina, Italy.

The chants of "U.S.A., U.S.A, U.S.A" were deafening.

An estimated 30,000 fans -- many of them who came when the women's downhill event was postponed because of weather -- waved their flags, clanged their cowbells and soaked in the hippest Olympic sport.