Drunken antics as US star Peterson punches friend

SAUZE D'OULX, Italy (AFP) - US freestyle aerials star Jeret Peterson, seventh in the men's final, showed his fiery temperament after the competition, punching a friend in the face as police were called to deal with their drunken behaviour.

Locals tipped off the police about two Americans drunk and disorderly in Sauze d'Oulx, where the aerials competition had taken place, and when police arrived on the scene Peterson and his friend were arguing.

Peterson's friend was trying to calm him down but the inebriated US freestyle star lost his cool and punched his friend giving him a bloody lip and a broken tooth.

Police said the incident was just a minor disagreement between two drunken friends.

Peterson is not renowned as a hot-head although at 24 he has a history of tragedy and family turmoil that would send many off the rails.

When he was five, his sister was killed by a drunk driver and a few months later, an uncle died of an AIDS-related illness.

Three years ago, Peterson revealed he was sexually abused as a child and has been in therapy to deal with it.

Then last June he watched his close friend and room mate commit suicide shooting himself in the head without saying a word.

Peterson has taken refuge in sport and delighted the crowd in the final with his bold 'Hurricane' move - consisting of an unprecedented three flips and five twists - but a poor landing saw him finish seventh.