PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Sebastien Toutant kept waiting for the pain in his back to ease. For three months leading up to the Olympics, it didn’t.

Sure, the Canadian snowboarder could carve his way down the mountain with his friends. But he could not twist. He could not fly. And he certainly could not land. Those are three important elements when you earn a living flinging yourself 50 feet into the air.

“That feeling, not knowing if it’s going to hurt or not, is terrible,” Toutant said.

It’s gone now. Euphoria will do that.

Barely three weeks after the back felt good enough for him to return to competition, Toutant soared to gold in the Olympic debut of men’s big air Saturday in front of a rowdy crowd at Alpensia Ski Jumping Center that included Ivanka Trump.

Kyle Mack of the United States took silver and Billy Morgan of Britain claimed bronze.

Swiss win team alpine event

Switzerland defeated top-seeded Austria to take the gold medal in the Olympic debut of the alpine team skiing event.

Norway edged France in the bronze medal match.