In January, a nagging ankle injury sidelined Shaun White from the slopestyle competition at the X Games in Aspen. The next night, the ailment seemed to subside and White went on to earn the first perfect score in superpipe history.

Following this, many questioned whether the ankle injury was the culprit that kept White out of competition or if nerves played a part. Prior to that contest, he hadn't placed in slopestyle since 2009, and even failed to make the finals in both slope events he entered in 2011.

But winning is simply in White's nature, so when he started to slip behind in slope, he knew what he had to do. White has made it his mission to learn knew tricks and was spotted perfecting them in Breckenridge, Keystone, and Northstar throughout this season.

His tenacious training and desire to be the best paid off at the Winter X Games in Tignes, France.

White made a triumphant debut in Tignes, and stomped a run that included included three double corks, including a switch double cork 1080 and two double cork 1260s, for a top score of 97.

Following the contest White said, "I think I've finally caught up and I'm happy to be back."

Mark McMorris and Eric Willett rounded out the podium. McMorris stomped a run that included frontside cab 1080 and a frontside double cork 1080, and Willett stomped two double cork 1080s and threw down on the rail sections.

After falling in his first two runs, Willett rallied to take third with his last. Following the event he stated, "I'm happy to make the podium but I think one of the Norwegians should have been in my place -- they both rode so well. But I'm stoked I was able to keep my podium streak here."

On the women's side of things Jamie Anderson continued her dominating ways. The 21-year old Tahoe Native scored a 98 on her second run that featured a cab 270 to boardslide and a tail blunt in the rail section, cab 7, back 5, front 7, and ended with a tail blunt 270.

Anderson has been upping ante all season, and her performance at Euro X proved she is progressing the sport.

Spencer O'Brien also rode extremely well and earned second with a run that included backside 5, switch back 5, and front 7.

Enni Rukajarvi took third after stomping a back 5, a cab 5, and a front 7.

As the sun begins to set over the Alps, the third annual Winter X Games Tignes comes to close, marking the last major Slopestyle contest of the 2011-2012 season.

Watch white's winning run:

Jamie Anderson's winning run:


Photos: John Weaver, Vans Snow

With baguettes and wine clasped in their hands, a group of five Frenchmen made their way to the bottom of the superpipe for the Men's Finals at the Winter X Games in Tignes, France. When asked what they were looking forward to, they didn't mention tricks they hoped to see, or who their favorite rider was, but instead exclaimed "qui, qui, we're pumped for life!"

Now in it's third year, it seems that the main difference between Euro X Games and its American counterpart is the mentality of competitors and fans. While a competitive nature still remains, the atmosphere of the French village encourages an appreciation for the finer things in life-- like simply eating a baguette and watching snowboarding with friends.

The action in Europe is also on par with the American version, as the world's best pipe riders stomped many progressive tricks.

Following a stellar performance and first place finish, Shaun White was asked what he thought about the Euro X Games, and stated, "To everybody here tonight, this is far better than Aspen."

Many other competitors and industry folks shared White's sentiment. Here are the top reasons why Euro X Games 2012 is better than Aspen X Games as told by the sport's elite.

1) "The setting: Tignes, France is in the middle of the Alps, so there's amazing backcountry surrounding it, and the conditions allow for an pristine pipe and great vibes." - Gary Greenshields, Quiksilver Team Manager and former pro snowboarder.

2) "The European fan base makes this contest great. They are all excited and the atmosphere is awesome." - Louie Vito, second place in Men's Halfpipe

3) "The apres scene is so much better here than in Aspen. In Tignes, you can drink huge steins of beer, and have awesome dance parties on top of tables, and still watch the contest. Never would happen in Aspen." Fredirk Austbo, Olympic Snowboarder

4) "It's the end of the season, and everyone is riding their very best. So, on one hand it's the most competitive [event] of the year. But it's in France, so everyone's here to have a good time." -Larry Nunez, Vans Snow, former Editor of Snowboarder Magazine

As the last major halfpipe contest of the year, the Euro X Games proved the perfect way to cap-off the competitive season.

Check out the winning runs and full details from the contest here.


Photo: ESPN Event Media

Shaun's Winning Run

Kelly Clark's Winning Run

After an unprecedented 16 consecutive halfpipe victories, Kelly Clark's win-streak was derailed Saturday at the Burton US Open in Stratton, VT.

The Vermont-native and crowd favorite boosted a run filled with lofty, technical tricks, but this time her efforts were just not enough.

Elena Hight, who has only placed in the top three on two occasions throughout this season, boosted a run that included a huge, tweaked backside air, back to back 900's and a massive ally-oop backside rodeo. The judges awarded her a 86.50 which was only 3/10th of a point higher than Clark's.

Hight was overwhelmed with her win and said "I'm really happy with the whole weekend - the pipe and weather were amazing. I haven't been at the Open for a couple of years, and it's great to come back and embrace the 30th anniversary of the event."

Following the dramatic women's event, sixteen of the world's best male riders battled it out under blue skies and springlike temps. The warm weather created variable conditions in the pipe. The right wall was sun-baked and slushy, but the shadowed left-side was icy and firm, making it difficult for the riders to cleanly stomp all three of their runs.

After taking a three year hiatus from competing at the US Open, Shaun White made a triumphant return to the pipe. He was the first rider to drop and laid down a run that included a method, frontside double cork 1080 stalefish, Cab double cork 1080 melon, frontside inverted 540 stalefish, backside double McTwist 1260 and an alley oop backside rodeo. While this wasn't the best run we've ever seen out of White, his efforts were awarded a 90.1-- the highest score of the day.

White was pleased with the win, but knew he didn't ride his best. He commented "I hoped to set it up in runs two and three, but I had trouble with the double back rodeo on that final hit."

After falling on runs one and two, Louie Vito stomped four double corks in his third attempt. This was enough to secure second place. Vermont-native Benji Farrow rounded out the top three and was thrilled with his first major podium of the season.

The Burton US Open was the last major halfpipe contest in the United States. Many of the riders will now travel to Tignes, France for the European X Games to cap off the 2011-2012 season.

Remember that guy, the one that scored a perfect 100 at this year's Winter X Games in Aspen?

Yep, you know the one. Well apparently the blazoned redhead is involved with more than just high-flying aerobatics. Now he's also a full-fledged model. Shaun White recently popped up posing on the home page of the Mr. Porters, a website geared towards gentlemen who are into high-fashion.

The feature includes a lengthy interview with the burgeoning star and delves into all aspects of the 25-year-old's career. From competitions, to endorsements, movies and more, Mr. Porter's shows Shaun White in a new light.

Here's an excerpt from the interview.

Q. You are a daredevil by default. Do you take a similar approach when it comes to style?
A. I love to compete but as far as being a daredevil, that's the furthest thing from me. My lifestyle off the hill is totally different. I guess when it comes to fashion I'm geared more towards styles that are driven by musicians. I've always worn tighter jeans, sports coats and suit jackets.

Q. After your cameo appearance in Friends With Benefits, is acting something you would like to do more of?
A. It was definitely something that put me out of my element, but I found it really exciting and intriguing. Going to the premiere in New York was great. I'd love to do more acting but nothing has really piqued my interest yet.

Q. What is the one thing people always assume about you that's not true?
A. People always think I'm going to act a certain way because I have sponsors and various things in my life that are very corporate. At the end of the day I'm a 25-year-old guy in the action sports world. And I like to have a good time.

Check out SW modeling high-end threads and head to Mr. Porter's the full interview.

Photos via Mr. Porter
Photog:Mr Matt Irwin

GoPro has been secretly gathering the snow world's best athletes and creating one hell of an A-team. During Winter X Games 16 that concluded on Sunday January 29, the latest addition to the team was announced. Who might this lone stranger be? Picture flowing fiery locks, questionable taste in snow pants, and an annoying tendency to win every single halfpipe contest he competes in without a second look. Yep. Shaun White.

Along with Tom Wallisch, Jamie Anderson, and Hannah Teter, White took home some X Games hardware in 2012. This hardware of course, being the gold medal paired with a perfect score after his last run in men's pipe finals. Tom Wallisch also claimed the gold in men's ski slopestyle as well as Jamie Anderson who earned hers in women's slopestyle finals. Teter followed up with the bronze in women's halfpipe finals.

Understand the A-team comment now? Check out the highlights with this talented group of rippers below.