PHOTOS: Winter Olympics Day 6

Shaun White punctuates a snowboard halfpipe run with a signature acrobatic move Wednesday.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Shaun White of the U.S. maneuvers in midair Wednesday during qualifying for the snowboard halfpipe event, which he won.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn beams while showing the gold medal she won Wednesday in the women’s downhill. Teammate Julia Mancuso took the silver medal, and Elisabeth Goergl of Austria earned the bronze.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lindsey Vonn, right, took the women’s downhill gold medal, with her U.S. teammate and longtime rival Julia Mancuso, left, finishing half a second behind for the silver. Vonn, skiing with a bruised shin, is the first U.S. woman to win the downhill since the event began in 1948.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lindsey Vonn celebrates her victory.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lindsey Vonn crosses the finish line.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Julia Mancuso exults after finishing her run. She captured the silver medal.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Switzerland’s Dominique Gisin crashes near the finish line in the women’s downhill race.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Dominique Gisin’s race ends in heartbreak.  (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

A super fan shows his colors.  (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

American snowboarder Shaun White.  (Gerry Broome / Associated Press)

Melissa Hollingsworth of Canada takes a practice skeleton run.  (Ricardo Mazalan / Associated Press)