Slideshow: Shaun White rules the halfpipe, wins Olympic 2010 gold (photos, video)
Shaun White ruled the halfpipe and before his second run, had won gold. His first run garnered him an astounding 46.8 as those before him touched the ground, lost balance, and pushed slush into the air, Shaun White proved to the world that he is indeed, the ruler of the halfpipe.
Flying through the air as if he were weightless, he brought wild excitement to the competition. There is no doubt that Shaun White sets the bar and tonight he raised it higher. The highlight may have been when standing with his coach, he realized that he had already won the gold, yet had another run today. “What should I do?” Shaun was overheard asking. “Do anything you want,” the reply was joyous and enthusiastic. If Shaun were to glide down the middle without effort, he would have received numerous cheers and applause. He could have, but he didn’t. Instead, he did what any true champion of a sport would do.
He went out and killed it!
His second run, even though he had already won the gold was more amazing than the first. You had to wonder if he had planned to save his best moves for last. His second run included his signature spiraling Double McTwist 1260 and it left fans breathless and those in home screaming with frenzy.
With two flips and three and a half twists, there was no debate: Shaun White rules the halfpipe. He finished with a 48.4.
Shaun White of the USA reacts after his first heat run in the final in the men's snowboard halfpipe competition at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Click here for full recaps and replays (video)
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