Shaun White

Shaun White is not the dominant force he once was in the superpipe. But that's only because of an emerging star named Kevin Pearce. Finally, a rivalry snowboarding fans can appreciate. But the edge still belongs to White, 22, who also remains the coolest competitor on the planet. A week after being upstaged by Pearce late in the European Open, White on Sunday pulled out a dramatic triumph of his own at the Winter X Games -- the world's biggest non-Olympics stage.

Mother Nature chose a rotten time to deliver to the Rockies a much-needed dumping: the busiest day of Winter X Games 13. And she delivered the worst kind of snow on an unseasonably balmy Saturday: wet and lumpy, mixed with rain, making fans sponge-like and causing generally fearless extreme athletes to worry about getting down Buttermilk Mountain safely. Conditions were hazardous to poor, and weather was at least partially responsible for sending two competitors to Aspen Valley Hospital.

Unofficial weekend forecast for Truckee: complete Whiteout. That's because Shaun White is here to write another chapter in his remarkable biography -- and to pocket the attendant spare change. Townsfolk point out that Truckee means "Everything is all right" in Paiute, and barring injury, White, 22, will depart Monday expressing a presumably hipper version of that sentiment.