Shaun White Back on Top as Burton US Open Halfpipe King

Shaun White showed once again that he was the king of snowboard halfpipe this weekend at the 2016 Burton US Open.

White took first place in the 34th running of the iconic men’s halfpipe event in Colorado, shrugging off any doubts that the now 6-time champ and decorated gold medalist was nearing retirement. 

“A lot of people have been saying I’m tired, but that’s just laughable,” White said in a Red Bull review leading up to the contest.

After a two-year hiatus, White had only competed in one other contest this year. But after this weekend’s performance some might even wonder if he was human at all. 

Hitting it harder, higher, faster and bigger, White started each run with a massive backside air launching more than 25 feet above the ramp followed by pure perfection as he flipped and spun his way down the pipe with the smoothest of ease.

You can watch a highlight clip of riders below or follow this link to the full contest. 

In the women’s division, with 15-year-old Chloe Kim taking the championship. Kim’s win signals a changing of the guard in women’s snowboarding after a 14-year reign of dominance by Kelly Clark. 

Photo credit: Youtube

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