Switzerland's Ammann wins another jumping gold

Switzerland's Simon Ammann is the first ski jumper to win four individual Olympic titles with his victory Saturday in the large hill event.

Strapping on his disputed bindings again, Ammann flew past his main rivals, putting down the best jump in both rounds and staving off four Austrians who weren't happy about his equipment, which they had protested but had been allowed by officials.

Polish veteran Adam Malysz took silver, and Austrian 20-year-old Gregor Schlierenzauer took the bronze - the exact same finish as in the normal hill jump a week earlier.

Ammann held a commanding lead after the first round with a jaw-dropping 144-meter effort - 7 meters farther than Malysz.

3 U.S. women qualifyLed by Emily Cook, the United States placed three women in the freestyle aerials final - the first time the Americans have moved anyone past qualifying at the Olympics since 1998. Also making it for the United States were Lacy Schnoor and 16-year-old Ashley Caldwell. Defending Olympic champion Evelyn Leu of Switzerland failed to advance to the final.

Germans lead bobsled

Germany's Andre Lange is the leader midway through the men's Olympic two-man bobsled. Lange completed his two runs down the menacing Whistler Sliding Center track in 1 minute, 43.31 seconds. The three-time gold medalist and longtime brakeman Kevin Kuske lead by 0.11 seconds over countrymen Thomas Florschuetz and Richard Adjei. Russia-1, driven by Alexander Zubkov, is third in 1:43.81 entering today's last two heats. American Steve Holcomb is in fourth place, just 0.12 from medal contention.

There were four crashes on the first day, including one involving Canada's top sled piloted by Lyndon Rush, who has more experience on the track than anyone else. Sleds from Liechtenstein, Britain and Australia toppled in the first heat

Swede wins cross country

Marcus Hellner of Sweden sprinted away from his rivals near the finish line to win the men's 30-kilometer cross-country pursuit. Tobias Angerer of Germany finished 2.1 seconds behind for the silver medal, and Johan Olsson of Sweden took bronze.

Debut of skicrossThe sport of skicross makes its debut Sunday. The sport was added to the games following the overwhelming popularity of snowboardcross, which made a splash in Turin four years ago. The men race Sunday, with the women hitting Cypress Mountain on Tuesday. There is a decided difference between snowboardcross and skicross, from the age of the average competitors to the uniform. Snowboardcross is populated by mostly 20ish riders. American Daron Rahlves, 36, is a former Alpine downhiller who has switched to skicross in order to keep competing. Six of the top 12 skicrossers are former downhillers. - AP