Men's freeski halfpipe qualifying at Beijing 2022 - Latest

The men's freeski halfpipe qualifying event is underway at Beijing 2022.

It's a stacked field, with double Olympic champion David Wise the last to go.

Each skier has two runs of the Secret Garden pipe in Zhangjiakou. Only their best score will be counted, with 12 athletes qualifying for the final on Saturday.

Earlier on Thursday (17 February), Ailing (Eileen) Gu of China topped women's qualifying. Since then the snow has started falling at the Genting Snow Park for the men's event.

The first of the 23 skiers is Noah Bowman of Canada, who opens things with a 78.25.

Compatriot Brendan MacKay edges in front with an 87.25 for his first of two runs.

Much is expected of Nico Porteous from New Zealand, the bronze medallist at PyeongChang 2017. He is disappointed with his opening run score of 75.50 in Zhangjiakou.

Alex Ferreira of Team USA scores 84.25 to move into second so far.

Gus Kenworthy medalled in this event at Sochi 2014 for USA. He's now representing Great Britain... and he falls! Kenworthy doesn't seem too concerned, saying "All good, got another one."

Snow is getting heavier, and several other skiers have fallen too with the reduced visibility. It's not easy pulling tricks and landing on white snow when the sky is full of powder too!

Jon Sallinen of Finland apologises in the finish area after his skis collided with a cameraman during his run.

USA's Birk Irving, the Youth Olympic Games champion from 2016, opens up with 83.25 which is comfortably in the qualifying positions.

David Wise is the last to go in his third Games, and the two-time gold medallist in this event from America shows his class with a 88.75 which will almost certainly take him through to the final. He seems surprised to top the standings so far,