Shaun White signs autographs during practice for the Skateboard Vert at the X Games. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
August 3, 2007: Olympic gold medalist Shaun White during practice of the Skateboard Vert at the X Games 2006 at the Staples Center. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
Shaun White finished a disappointing eighth place in the Men’s Vert finals at Staples Center. (Myung J. Chun / LAT)
While his fame has grown exponentially since the Olympics in February, friends say White’s laid-back manner has remained in check. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
Shaun White goes airborn during Skateboard Vert practice at the Staples Center. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
After his gold-medal performance in the snowboarding halfpipe at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, White will easily be the most recognizable athlete at X Games XII this weekend. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
White, who is making his 11th X Games appearance this weekend, is the first athlete to win a medal in both the winter and summer games. (Christine Cotter / LAT)
