Shaun White, a snowboarding legend, has clinched a spot in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Taylor Gold and Greg Bretz also earned berths on the team.
White is one the better known members of the United States Olympic team.
At 27, he’s one of the oldest competitor in snowboarding, a relatively youthful sport.
White crashed in the first selection event in halfpipe, and injured an ankle.
But he ended up earning spots in both slopestyle and halfpipe.
Shaun White competing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, top, and celebrating after winning the gold medal at the halfpipe final at those Olympics. (AP Photos/Gerry Broome)
He’s the reigning halfpipe champion. If he wins another gold in the competition then he would be the first American man to win the same Winter Olympic event three times.
“It was a long [week], but I made the team,” White told NBC. “I’m pretty happy. It’s everything I could have hoped for.”
“I’m one of the only guys doing both [halfpipe and slopestyle]. Juggling the two has been out of hand. It’s really demanding to switch gears and do both, but I’m doing it. I’m making my way.”
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