Olympics: Japan's riders slump in women's halfpipe final
February 13, 2006Shiho Nakashima, Soko Yamaoka and Chikako Fushimi failed to impress in the women's halfpipe final on Monday and left Japan still searching for its first medal at the Turin Olympics. Despite a pair of clean runs, Nakashima lacked flair and inventiveness, and her ninth-place finish was the best Japanese riders could manage as Hannah Teter led the United States to a stunning 1-2 finish.