Shaun White has become the best known snowboarder in the world, winning multiple titles, including his 2006 halfpipe Olympic gold. To do this he overcome a congenital heart disorder, tetralogy of Fallot (blue-baby syndrome), which required him to undergo two open-heart surgeries before he was a year old. White has long red hair, which has given him the nickname “The Flying Tomato.” He has made his name at the Winter X Games, where he continues to collect medals. Through 2009, he has won 14 medals at Winter X, including nine gold medals, all in superpipe and slopestyle between 2003-09. White also competes in skateboarding, having won a full set of medals in vert at the X Games, with a gold medal in 2007. Since the formation of the Winter Dew Tour in 2006, he has dominated that circuit. White is an icon among young snowboarders for his various tricks, huge air, and his free-spirit style. He also has his own Shaun White video game that has been released based on his tricks.
United States