ASPEN — Snowboard star Shaun White gave an early gift to the crowds at Buttermilk Mountain on Wednesday for the 2011 Winter X Games. White said he will compete in slopestyle this year, as well as halfpipe.
Following last year’s crowds that were exceptionally larger in Aspen than Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics, those who come out this year will see White in two events.
White competed in just the halfpipe last year at X Games.
He is returning to slopestyle at X Games after focusing solely on the halfpipe last year. Both finals are Sunday, slopestyle early in the day and halfpipe under the lights.
Speaking today as part of an athletes’ news conference to kick off the event, White talked about the X Games’ 10-year run at Buttermilk mountain.
“It’s slowly becoming a very historic thing to be here,” White said. “I’m a big fan of coming back to these same places and you know what to expect.”
If White takes advantage of all the practice times as well as the qualifers, he could be on the hill nearly every day. He starts with the halfpipe qualifier on Thursday night, then the slopestyle eliminations Friday morning. He’s got practice sessions for both events Saturday before Sunday’s finals.
White has not been in a competition this season, but has had practice sessions around more obligations with his sponsors.
“I’ve had enough practice time,” White said. “I feel confident to go out there and have some fun.”
2011 X GAMES SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
Skiing slopestyle men’s elimination, 10a-noon
Snowmobile Freestyle Elimination 11:30a – 1 p.m.
Skiing Slopestyle Women’s Final 1 – 2 p.m.
Snowmobile Freestyle Round One 7 – 8 p.m.
Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Elimination 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Snowmobile Freestyle Final 8:30- 9 p.m.
Skiing SuperPipe Women’s Final 9-9:40 p.m.
FRIDAY
Snowboard Snowboarder X Men’s & Women’s Qualifying 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Elimination 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Skiing Skier X Men’s & Women’s Qualifying 12- 1:30 p.m.
Snowmobile Speed & Style Seeding 2 – 3 p.m.
Skiing SuperPipe Men’s Final 4:45- 6:15 p.m.
Snowboard Best Method Final 5:15-5:30 p.m.
Snowmobile Speed & Style Quarterfinals 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Snowboard Big Air Elimination 6:45-7:30 p.m.
Snowmobile Speed & Style Semifinal & Final 7:30-8 p.m.
Snowboard Big Air Final 8-8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Mono Skier X Qualifying 9:30-10:30a.m.
Snowboard SuperPipe Women’s Elimination 10-11:30 a.m.
Snowboard Snowboarder X Men’s Final 12-1 p.m.
Snowboard Snowboarder X Women’s Final 2-2:30 p.m.
Skiing Slopstyle Men’s Final 2:30-4 p.m.
Snowboard Street Final 6-6:30 p.m.
Skiing Big Air Elimination 7-7:45 p.m.
Snowboard SuperPipe Women’s Final 7:45-8:30 p.m.
Skiing Big Air Final 8:30-9 p.m.
SUNDAY
Snowboard Slopestyle Women’s Final 10:30-11:15am
Skiing Skier X Men’s & Women’s Final 11:15a-1:15p
Snowmobile SnoCross Round One 11:30a-12p
Snowmobile SnoCross Last Chance Qualifier 12:15-12:30pm
Snowmobile SnoCross Adaptive Final 12:45-1 p.m.
Snowmobile SnoCross Final 1:15-1:45 p.m.
Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Final 1:45-3 p.m.
Mono Skier X Semifinal 3-3:15 p.m.
Mono Skier X Final 3:45- 4 p.m.
Snowmobile Best Trick Final 5:30-6 p.m.
Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Final 6:30-8 p.m.
