Vancouver (AFP) – Defending champion Shaun White is ready to soar to new heights in snowboard halfpipe, but the top money-spinner among Vancouver Winter Olympians also knows the dangers in pushing the limits.
The 23-year-old American redhead will attempt his most daring trick yet, the gravity-defying Double McTwist 1260, next Wednesday in a bid to defend Olympic gold.
“The Double McTwist is the toughest trick I’ve ever attempted,” White said.
“When I land it, it feels like the first time I laid it down. It has been an amazing finisher for my run. It’s the best trick I’ve ever done.”
White landed his unprecedented move, an inverted aerial in which he flips head over heels twice while spinning 3 1/2 times and holding the board, to win the Winter X Games two weeks ago.
“It’s such an amazing trick. I’d feel disappointed if I didn’t include it,” White said. “I’ve got a pretty mean run coming up. If I put it down, I’m confident I’m going to land a pretty high score.”
But White struck his head in a hard fall on the first try at the X Games.
“I’d be lying to say that crash didn’t shake me up,” White said. “My very first thought was I had to shake it off. You can build a weird self-conscious thing in your head unless you go back and do it.
“I feel confident to take a hit like that and bounce back.”
With US halfpipe boarder Kevin Pearce knocked into a coma after a spill attempting a double flip trick, some wonder if White and his rivals have not pushed too far into the danger zone.
“The sport hasn’t gotten more dangerous. It was dangerous to begin with,” White said. “We fall. We get back up. It’s part of what we do.”
White called the idea of a double cork ban “outrageous” and sees the sport evolving well.
“It’s not just going up there and being a daredevil. There’s a plan about it,” he said. “The progression of tricks is on the right path. Hopefully we haven’t hit the ceiling yet.”
Halfpipe has not hit a popularity limit either, drawing huge interest from a young generation.
“I do think we’re definitely being taken seriously,” he said. “I heard we were second (in TV ratings) to women’s figure skating. I guess we’re becoming a premier event.”
That helped White make about eight million dollars in endorsement deals last year, the king among Winter Olympians according to Forbes magazine and a far cry from youthful days of hot plate meals in small hotels.
“Five of us would be in Motel 6 making food and setting off a fire alarm. It’s where I came from. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” White said. “Making a great living in the sport feels great. I’ve earned it.”
Riches have not made the dude rude, however.
“I’m pretty sure I would have been corrupted by this age if I was going to go down that path,” White said.
“Money hasn’t changed me. I have to go home and clean up after the dog. I’m just a relaxed normal guy.”
One who might even unveil some new tricks in Vancouver.
“There might be a couple things,” White warned. “I’ve always got a little something extra.”
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