10 worldwide medal hopefuls for Sochi 2014: Shaun White

Snowboarding (Halfpipe)

Born: 03/09/86

Career highlights

White could become the first American male to win three consecutive Winter Olympic titles in Sochi, having won halfpipe gold in Turin and Vancouver.

The American won a sixth consecutive X Games gold in 2013. He is also a world champion skateboarder and won X Games gold in 2011 on both snow and skateboards.

As he did in the run-up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics, White has opted not to skateboard in 2013 for fear of injury.

Did you know?

He had his own private halfpipe built for him in Colorado in the build-up to the last Winter Olympics, which was only accessible by helicopter.

He has repeated the feat pre-Sochi - in Australia's Snowy Mountains.

After cutting his trademark ginger locks off in 2012, the 'Flying Tomato' donated his hair to Locks of Love - a charity for children suffering long-term medical hair loss.

He plays guitar in a band called Bad Things.

Career lowlights

White has five slopestyle X Games titles but opted not to compete in the event in Russia for fear of jeopardising his halfpipe chances.

He courted controversy in September 2012 when he was arrested for public intoxication and vandalism.

Personal

The Californian was born with a heart defect and had two open-heart surgeries before his first birthday.