ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Shaun White is out again for the Winter X Games.
After making the trip to Aspen, even making a practice run or two, the 13-time X Games snowboarding titlist decided against competing this week.
He had originally said he was out, then changed his mind and entered. Then, on Wednesday, he pulled out again.
He says the schedule wouldn’t allow him to train the way he wants to for the Olympics, where he’ll compete in slopestyle qualifying Feb. 6 — the day before the Opening Ceremony.
“It’s an incredibly tough decision for me and it’s not something I take lightly,” White says, noting the key influence the X Games has had on snowboarding’s popularity. “But I have to make sure I’m prepared for the Olympics.”
