Shaun Roger White is an American former professional snowboarder and skateboarder who became one of the most recognizable action sports athletes of the 21st century. A five-time Olympian, he won three Olympic gold medals in the halfpipe snowboard event at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Shaun Roger White holds the record for the most X Games gold medals by a snowboarder and the most Olympic gold medals in the halfpipe discipline. Over the course of his career, he earned ten ESPY Awards across multiple categories.

Early Life and Health Challenges

Shaun Roger White was born on September 3, 1986, in San Diego, California, to Cathy White and Roger White. He is the youngest of four children and grew up with his siblings Kari White and Jesse White. Of Irish and Italian descent, he faced a significant medical challenge from birth.

He was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect, and underwent two open-heart surgeries before the age of one. Despite this life-threatening start, Shaun Roger White pursued athletic ambitions with determination. He began snowboarding at age six and gained attention by winning an amateur competition at ten. After sending an amateur video to Burton Snowboards, he secured sponsorship, setting the stage for a professional career by age thirteen.

Skateboarding and Mentorship

In addition to snowboarding, Shaun Roger White excelled in skateboarding. He was discovered and mentored by legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk, who recognized his talent at a young age. At sixteen, White turned professional in skateboarding.

He became the first athlete to compete and medal in both the Summer and Winter X Games, reinforcing his versatility and crossover appeal in action sports.

Olympic Career

Shaun Roger White competed in five Winter Olympic Games. His breakthrough came at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, where, after a modest qualifying performance, he delivered a dominant final run scoring 46.8 to secure gold.

At the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, he effectively clinched gold on his first run with a 48.6 score. In his victory lap, he landed the Double McTwist 1260, a progression-defining trick that elevated technical standards in halfpipe snowboarding.

In preparation for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, he suffered a serious training accident in New Zealand that required 62 stitches to his face. Nonetheless, he recovered in time to compete and executed consecutive 1440-degree spins in the final to win his third Olympic gold medal. That victory marked the 100th gold medal in United States Winter Olympic history.

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, he finished fourth and subsequently announced his retirement from Olympic competition.

X Games and Competitive Dominance

At the Winter X Games, Shaun Roger White won 18 medals (13 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), making him one of the most dominant athletes in the event’s history. In 2012, he became the first male snowboarder to score a perfect 100 in the SuperPipe event.

Music and Media Ventures

Beyond sports, Shaun Roger White explored music as the guitarist for the electronic rock band Bad Things. The band performed at the 2013 Lollapalooza festival and released a self-titled album in 2014.

He also appeared in film and television productions including Friends with Benefits, Cloud 9, American Dad!, Henry Danger, The Girls Next Door, and the snowboarding documentary First Descent.

Business and Entrepreneurship

White partnered with Ubisoft to release video games such as Shaun White Snowboarding, Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage, and Shaun White Skateboarding.

In 2016, he acquired a minority stake in Mammoth Resorts, becoming part owner of Mammoth Mountain, Snow Summit, June Mountain, and Bear Mountain ski areas. In 2022, he launched his active lifestyle brand Whitespace.

In 2024, he announced the creation of “The Snow League,” a professional snowboard competition series, with its inaugural event held in 2025 in Aspen, Colorado.

Nickname and Philanthropy

Known for his distinctive red hair, Shaun Roger White was nicknamed “The Flying Tomato,” though he later distanced himself from the moniker. Since 2008, he has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping fulfill wishes for children facing critical illnesses.

Personal Life

Between 2013 and 2019, he was in a relationship with Sarah Barthel of the band Phantogram. In 2020, he began dating actress Nina Dobrev; the couple became engaged in 2024 but separated in 2025.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Shaun Roger White received numerous honors, including the Laureus World Sports Award (2008), multiple ESPY Awards, the ANOC Gala Award (2018), and induction into the California Outdoor Sports Hall of Fame (2021).

Overcoming a life-threatening congenital heart condition to become a three-time Olympic champion, Shaun Roger White stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and enduring influence in the history of action sports.

Career Statistics

Source: Biyografiler.com