Amazing Moments in Olympic History: Shaun White

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At the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Shaun White snagged the gold in the halfpipe snowboarding event. Despite it being the 19-year-old's Olympic debut, he had been dominating his sport since the ripe old age of 13, when he turned professional.

White defeated fellow Team USA member Danny Kass and Finland's Markku Koski, who won silver and bronze respectively.

The charismatic, camera-friendly snowboarder is known for his gnarly, unprecedented moves; long, bright red locks; and wide, dazzlingly white smile. White, who's commonly referred to as the "Flying Tomato," is probably the most recognized athlete in snowboarding, and he has two videogames bearing his name and image to prove it.

When he's not shredding in the snow, White skateboards. And not just up and down the street. Five months after winning gold in the Winter Games, this guy took home the skateboard vert overall title in the Action Sports Tour. He also was the first athlete to compete in two sports in the Summer and Winter X Games.

A native of Carlsbad, Calif., White and his family were so involved in snowboarding that even his parents learned how to shred. When he'd ride with his mom, who was the last White to get strapped to a board, he'd ride switch, or backward, so that she could keep up with him. It ended up working out in his favor because he learned to nail his jumps while riding switch.

Now White's contending for a second Olympic gold medal at the Vancouver Games. Most 23-year-olds are thinking about passing their finals, graduating from college and finding a job, but he has his sights set on making the top spot on the podium during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

One of the snowboarder's sponsors, Red Bull, built White a private halfpipe to train on in Silverton, Colo., in preparation for the 2009-2010 season. The halfpipe with 22-foot walls is in such a remote location that White can only get there via helicopter or snowmobile. While there, he's been developing new tricks, pushing the bar higher and higher for his sport.

And it's been working. White is undefeated at Grand Prix contests so far.

The next contest on White's list is the third and final Grand Prix, which begins today and runs through Saturday, Jan. 23, in Park City, Utah. This season's Grand Prix contests help in determining which snowboarders will qualify for the 2010 Games. On the final day of the last Grand Prix, the U.S. Olympic Team will be announced.

Tags: Amazing Moments, Shaun White, USA Ski & Snowboard