Bardonecchia, February 12, XX Olympic Winter Games. Men's snowboard: Shaun WHITE of the United States competes in the halfpipe final. Credit: Getty Images/Adam Pretty

Born: 3 September 1986

Birthplace: San Diego (United States of America)

Nationality: United States of America

Sport: Skiing

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Turin 2006

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

A precocious talent

Shaun White took up snowboarding at the age of six to copy his older brother. Despite some falls, the boy quickly mastered the difficulties of the board, and was taking part in his first amateur competitions barely a year later.

After winning all the events in which he took part, at the age of 13 he became one of the youngest athletes to sign up with a major equipment supplier and turn professional.

By the time he got to Turin for the Winter Games, the young Californian was already known world-wide. He had won several snowboarding titles at the Winter X-Games, as well as most of the major snowboarding competitions. The Olympic Games were the only event missing from what was already a long list of achievements. Shaun therefore trained accordingly so as not to miss this major Olympic occasion.

Sunday 12 February was the day of the half-pipe competition in Bardonecchia. After a fall in the first set of heats, Shaun needed to produce a great performance to reach the final. He obtained his place in the final by finishing seventh in the heats, with a score of 45.3.

In the first leg of the final, he showed the full range of his talent, with an array of figures and difficulties in the half-pipe. The judges appreciated his succession of backside air, 1080° and other haakon flips. The snowboarder was awarded the excellent mark of 46.8 points out of a possible 50, and finished in first place.

Before starting his second run, Shaun saw his opponents’ results and knew that he was already Olympic champion. He was able to enjoy the moment to the full, and offer the spectators a splendid display of rotations with great amplitude and style.

Below him on the podium were his compatriot, Daniel Kass, already the silver medallist at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, and the reigning world champion, Finland’s Markku Koski.

With this Olympic title, at the age of 20, Shaun White earned his place among the greats of his discipline. He is also an excellent skateboarder and enjoys surfing when his schedule allows.