The last time Shaun White competed in New Zealand was exactly 4 years ago at Cardrona, as a lead-in to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver where he took his second gold medal – although that accomplishment perhaps takes second seat to his development of the double cork, which Shaun first brought to the competitive table when he was here down under. Four years later, and we hear Mr. White is here again. Sure, his presence at this year’s World Cup, which is part of the Winter Games at Cardrona, is just part of the required pathway to Olympic qualification. But could it be a lot more? He often seems to find a new plateau when he visits New Zealand; remember when he successfully pulled off the first four back-to-back 9’s at Snow Park in 2004? Then of course the double corks Shaun revealed at Cardrona in 2009, which fired off frenzied sessions among the world’s top riders, and resulted in a new standard by which riders are measured today. Undoubtedly Shaun continues to be on the leading edge of halfpipe snowboarding, as he has for so many years, creating bucket-loads of hype wherever and whenever he turns up. Difference this time is that Shaun’s visit to New Zealand has been publicized well in advance, when usually it’s a guarded secret not even known by the event officials trying to sort out start lists. So it’s obvious he’s here for business. And his business is busting down performance levels. The question is, how long can Shaun White continue to have such a dominant stranglehold on halfpipe riding, and has he got anything special up his sleeve this time around, apart from just generally killing it? And if so, will it send him hurtling towards a third Olympic gold medal, making it 3-for-3? Don’t miss the action, going down in the Cardies Superpipe on the 24^th….

Shaun White once again showing the style, tricks and amplitude that land him in the number one spot comp after comp, season after season.Cardona Pipe