OLYMPICS 2014: First Look Event Update
For months, the spotlight has been on snowboarding great Shaun White as he prepares to reclaim gold at this winter’s Olympic Games in Sochi – but a recent injury left many worried about his health. Well, the 27-year-old will have to prove he’s serious, healthy and not taking home anything other than gold.
Earlier this week, GoPro – one of White’s main sponsors – released a video previewing a trick the snowboarder has most likely been working on for Sochi, which could prove to be huge if executed correctly. While there’s been mention of the trick before, it’s really the first time we’re getting to see it. The trick, known as the frontside double-cork 1440, resembles his Double McTwist 1260, adding another half revolution of twist inside two head-over-heels flips.
The McTwist 1260 was the talk of the Vancouver Olympics, as perhaps the most difficult trick, which White landed on his second halfpipe run at the games, even though he had already won the gold on his first run. His latest jaw-dropping effort could easily have the same effect, though it’s clearly taking a lot of work.
Shot back in October, the film shows White – and the production of the pipe – pulling off a number of moves leading up to his trick, which he seems to land with ease. Take a look for yourself:
White hasn’t competed since injuring his left ankle at the Dew Tour Mountain Championships, causing him to back out of the remainder of the weekend’s events, as well as the Copper Mountain Grand Prix. The next event is Jan. 8 in Breckenridge and will be an Olympic qualifier, with the pressure beginning to mount for the best in the world.
He might just have to pull off one of his big tricks to head to Russia – despite the fact no competitor has landed more than a double cork 1080 up to this point in the season.
