Mike Riddle, Cassie Sharpe win gold in ski halfpipe at World Cup event

Canadian freestyle skiers Mike Riddle and Cassie Sharpe turned in gold medal performances in Thursday’s halfpipe World Cup in Tignes, France.

Riddle, a 28-year-old Edmonton native, scored 95.00 points to defeat Americans David Wise (94.20) and Alex Ferreira (87.40).

It was a season-best finish for Riddle, who won a silver medal in the halfpipe at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

"I actually landed all three runs, which for me is kind of rare," Riddle said. "That was probably my favourite part of the night. But my goal tonight was just to go out and put my run down.

"It took me three tries so I'm definitely loving the three-run format in the World Cups this year. Everyone skied so (well) and I'm unbelievably happy to come out on top."

Sharpe, 22, won the women’s event Thursday with a score of 93.80.

The native of Comox, B.C., beat Ayana Onozuka (90.40) of Japan, who sits atop the World Cup standings with 240 points while Sharpe is fourth with 145 points. American Brita Sigourney was third with 86.40 points.

Sharpe said she was pleased just to make it into the finals against such a strong field.

"That in itself was something so big for me to accomplish," she said on a conference call. "I could not be happier with my result for this contest."