Harry How/Getty ImagesSafe to say this wasn't exactly how Shaun White imagined his latest snowboarding trick would land.
While participating in the Olympic qualifier in the slopestyle event in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on Thursday, the two-time Olympic gold medalist trotted out a move he most definitely isn't known for: falling about 50 feet and landing face-first in the snow.
According to reports, the 27-year-old athlete, who said today he doesn't plan to compete in next week's X Games in Aspen, Colo., in order to focus full-time on training for Sochi, was trying a double flip on the second big jump of his opening run when he crashed.
In footage captured of the accident, White remains on the ground, barely moving after the big fall before members of the medical staff quickly rush to his side.
Despite the terrifying crash, White is well on his way to a speedy recovery, and the accident didn't stop the sports star from clinching a spot on U.S. Olympic team in slopestyle—as White will be heading to the 2014 Winter Games—his third Olympics—next month.
"I haven't taken a hit like that in a long time," he said in an interview after the epic wipe-out. "You crash, and then the next morning is when you really feel it."
"I have a date with a tub full of ice right now," he continued. "I'm so thankful to make that run and to be on top of the podium and headed to Sochi. I'm beside myself. It went from one side of the coin all the way to the other from this morning with that crash to, now, winning."
White finished today with yet another win in the halfpipe event (the event for which he won gold medals in Turin and Vancouver) and the final qualifier is Sunday.