Story highlightsShaun White aims for halfpipe gold American won gold in 2010 and 2014 but was fourth in Sochi

(CNN)He’s an icon in his sport and one of the most recognizable and talked about figures at the Winter Olympics, but Shaun White has a score to settle at the Games.

The US snowboarder, 31, is chasing Olympic redemption and a chance to soothe the gnawing disappointment of four years ago. He’s begun on the right track, too, leading the his favorite halfpipe event after two qualifying runs in Pyeongchang. White has been in front most of his life. He went to Sochi looking for a “three-peat” — a third straight Olympic halfpipe gold medal to take his stock stratospheric. He also took on the new slopestyle event to keep his flame burning for the sport, but expectation and injury struck.Read MoreHe injured his wrist in a fall in slopestyle and fell on his final run in the halfpipe, finishing fourth. The legend was intact, but White was bruised and burned out. “At the time I was burning out. It’s hard to admit,” White told reporters in South Korea. “At the time my heart wasn’t in it.”It’s like if you’ve ever been in a relationship and someone is like, they love you. I wish I could flip a switch and love you back … love snowboarding like I did when I was seven.”READ: Winter Olympics day four: Live updates READ: Best photos from day four in PyeongchangShaun White's emotional Olympic history Shaun White's emotional Olympic history ws5530 Shaun White sochi olympics_00010227JUST WATCHEDShaun White’s emotional Olympic history ReplayMore Videos …MUST WATCH

Shaun White’s emotional Olympic history 03:24White took some time out to pursue business interests and tour with his rock band “Bad Things.”

WOW… My fourth Olympics! #Honored ?@TheTobyMiller pic.twitter.com/2alPkcYrBp

— Shaun White (@shaunwhite) February 7, 2018 Just when he thought he was dealing with it, gas station attendants or supermarket workers would bring it up back home in California and the internal gremlins would begin again. He needed to scratch that Olympics itch. READ: Chloe Kim — America’s 17-year-old snowboarding sensationHowever, his preparations for the Games received a bloody nose — literally — when he smashed into the lip of the halfpipe while training in New Zealand in October and needed 62 stitches to his head and face. Crashes go with the territory in the world of halfpipe snowboarding when athletes fly high above the 22ft walls of pipe and perform a series of tricks, twists and upside down turns, with names like double cork 1440 or switch double-cork 1260.White knows the rules of the game, and knew he had to get back in the saddle.Shaun WhiteShaun WhiteIn January he did just that and the man they used to call the”Flying Tomato ” because of his shock of red hair earned a perfect score of 100 in the US Grand Prix in Snowmass, Colorado to secure Olympic qualification. peace sketchpeace sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 1 of 13Gangnam Style sketchGangnam Style sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 2 of 13shani davis sketchshani davis sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 3 of 13Kim Yo Jong and US Vice President Mike PenceKim Yo Jong and US Vice President Mike Pence Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 4 of 13Pita Taufatofua sketchPita Taufatofua sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 5 of 13selfie sketchselfie sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 6 of 13Charlotte KallaCharlotte Kalla Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 7 of 13shiva keshavan drawingshiva keshavan drawing Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsshiva keshavan drawingHide Caption 8 of 13bloemen new sketchbloemen new sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 9 of 13Red Gerard Olympics cartoonRed Gerard Olympics cartoon Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 10 of 13mirai nagasu sketchmirai nagasu sketch Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 11 of 13Chloe Kim sketch Winter OlympicsChloe Kim sketch Winter Olympics Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 12 of 13Marcel Hirscher sketch Winter OlympicsMarcel Hirscher sketch Winter Olympics Photos: The moments of the 2018 Winter Olympics — in drawingsHide Caption 13 of 13peace sketchGangnam Style sketchshani davis sketchKim Yo Jong and US Vice President Mike PencePita Taufatofua sketchselfie sketchCharlotte Kallashiva keshavan drawingbloemen new sketchRed Gerard Olympics cartoonmirai nagasu sketchChloe Kim sketch Winter OlympicsMarcel Hirscher sketch Winter Olympics READ: Teenage snowboarder secures first Team USA gold‘Sacrifice’If White is a veteran in snowboarding terms he’s likely to face stiff competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics — the young guns are smoking. Japan’s Ayumu Hiran, 19, won the X Games at the end of January (which White skipped) with the first ever back-to-back double cork 1440s in competition. It earned him a score of 99 — only missing out on the 100 because there was once rider yet to come. Mirai Nagasu reacts after performing in the figure-skating team event. She became the first woman in US history <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/12/sport/mirai-nagasu-triple-axel-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">to land a triple axel at the Olympics.</a> The Americans finished with the bronze, however, as Canada took gold.Mirai Nagasu reacts after performing in the figure-skating team event. She became the first woman in US history <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/12/sport/mirai-nagasu-triple-axel-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">to land a triple axel at the Olympics.</a> The Americans finished with the bronze, however, as Canada took gold. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Mirai Nagasu reacts after performing in the figure-skating team event. She became the first woman in US history to land a triple axel at the Olympics. The Americans finished with the bronze, however, as Canada took gold.Hide Caption 1 of 19Dutch speedskater Ireen Wust celebrates on the podium after winning the 1,500 meters. Wust now has 10 medals in her career, making her the most decorated skater in Olympic history.Dutch speedskater Ireen Wust celebrates on the podium after winning the 1,500 meters. Wust now has 10 medals in her career, making her the most decorated skater in Olympic history. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Dutch speedskater Ireen Wust celebrates on the podium after winning the 1,500 meters. Wust now has 10 medals in her career, making her the most decorated skater in Olympic history.Hide Caption 2 of 19Canadian skier Mikael Kingsbury catches some air on his way to winning gold in the moguls.Canadian skier Mikael Kingsbury catches some air on his way to winning gold in the moguls. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Canadian skier Mikael Kingsbury catches some air on his way to winning gold in the moguls.Hide Caption 3 of 19German biathlete Arnd Peiffer aims his rifle during the 12.5-kilometer pursuit.German biathlete Arnd Peiffer aims his rifle during the 12.5-kilometer pursuit. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12German biathlete Arnd Peiffer aims his rifle during the 12.5-kilometer pursuit.Hide Caption 4 of 19American snowboarder Chloe Kim completes a qualifying run on the halfpipe.American snowboarder Chloe Kim completes a qualifying run on the halfpipe. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12American snowboarder Chloe Kim completes a qualifying run on the halfpipe.Hide Caption 5 of 19Germany's Laura Dahlmeier celebrates after winning her second biathlon event of these Olympics. She is also the first woman to win a pursuit and a sprint at the same Olympics.Germany's Laura Dahlmeier celebrates after winning her second biathlon event of these Olympics. She is also the first woman to win a pursuit and a sprint at the same Olympics. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier celebrates after winning her second biathlon event of these Olympics. She is also the first woman to win a pursuit and a sprint at the same Olympics.Hide Caption 6 of 19Shoko Ono of Japan falls on top of Dominique Ruegg of Switzerland during a women's hockey game.Shoko Ono of Japan falls on top of Dominique Ruegg of Switzerland during a women's hockey game. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Shoko Ono of Japan falls on top of Dominique Ruegg of Switzerland during a women’s hockey game.Hide Caption 7 of 19Canada's Barrett Martineau trains for the skeleton.Canada's Barrett Martineau trains for the skeleton. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Canada’s Barrett Martineau trains for the skeleton.Hide Caption 8 of 19For the second straight Olympics, American snowboarder Jamie Anderson won gold in the slopestyle competition.For the second straight Olympics, American snowboarder Jamie Anderson won gold in the slopestyle competition. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12For the second straight Olympics, American snowboarder Jamie Anderson won gold in the slopestyle competition.Hide Caption 9 of 19American figure skater Adam Rippon competes in the team event.American figure skater Adam Rippon competes in the team event. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12American figure skater Adam Rippon competes in the team event.Hide Caption 10 of 19Norway's Magnus Nedregotten prepares to throw a stone during a mixed-doubles curling match.Norway's Magnus Nedregotten prepares to throw a stone during a mixed-doubles curling match. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Norway’s Magnus Nedregotten prepares to throw a stone during a mixed-doubles curling match.Hide Caption 11 of 19Ice dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue wait for their score in the team figure-skating event. They played a key role in Canada winning the gold.Ice dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue wait for their score in the team figure-skating event. They played a key role in Canada winning the gold. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Ice dancers Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue wait for their score in the team figure-skating event. They played a key role in Canada winning the gold.Hide Caption 12 of 19The Olympic rings are reflected by glass as a spectator watches a curling match.The Olympic rings are reflected by glass as a spectator watches a curling match. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12The Olympic rings are reflected by glass as a spectator watches a curling match.Hide Caption 13 of 19American snowboarder Jessika Jenson competes in the slopestyle final.American snowboarder Jessika Jenson competes in the slopestyle final. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12American snowboarder Jessika Jenson competes in the slopestyle final.Hide Caption 14 of 19Alina Zagitova, an Olympic athlete from Russia, had an excellent performance in the team figure-skating event. She and her teammates won the silver.Alina Zagitova, an Olympic athlete from Russia, had an excellent performance in the team figure-skating event. She and her teammates won the silver. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Alina Zagitova, an Olympic athlete from Russia, had an excellent performance in the team figure-skating event. She and her teammates won the silver.Hide Caption 15 of 19Course crew members are shrouded in snow as they carry ski gates. Heavy winds have wreaked havoc on the Alpine skiing schedule, forcing some events to be postponed.Course crew members are shrouded in snow as they carry ski gates. Heavy winds have wreaked havoc on the Alpine skiing schedule, forcing some events to be postponed. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Course crew members are shrouded in snow as they carry ski gates. Heavy winds have wreaked havoc on the Alpine skiing schedule, forcing some events to be postponed.Hide Caption 16 of 19Japan's Kaori Sakamoto performs her free-skate routine during the team figure-skating event.Japan's Kaori Sakamoto performs her free-skate routine during the team figure-skating event. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto performs her free-skate routine during the team figure-skating event.Hide Caption 17 of 19Canada's Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris brush the ice during a curling match.Canada's Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris brush the ice during a curling match. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Canada’s Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris brush the ice during a curling match.Hide Caption 18 of 19Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan, center front, reacts to his scores in the team competition.Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan, center front, reacts to his scores in the team competition. Photos: Winter Olympics: Monday, February 12Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan, center front, reacts to his scores in the team competition.Hide Caption 19 of 1901 Mirai Nagasu 021231 winter olympics 0212 speedskating Ireen Wust29 winter olympics 0212 moguls28 winter olympics 0212 biathlon27 winter olympics 0212 chloe kim22 winter olympics 0212 biathlon Laura Dahlmeier21 winter olympics 0212 ice hockey19 winter olympics 0212 skeleton Barrett Martineau20 winter olympics 0212 snowboard slopestyle Jamie Anderson03 winter olympics 0212 figure skating Adam Rippon09 winter olympics 0212 curling Magnus Nedregotten16 winter olympics 021207 winter olympics 0212 curling fan13 winter olympics 0212 snowboarding Jessika Jenson11 winter olympics 0212 figure skating Alina Zagitova14 winter olympics 0212 giant slalom postponed15 winter olympics 0212 figure skating Kaori Sakamoto04 winter olympics 0212 curling06 winter olympics 0212 figure skating Patrick ChanWhite, though, insists he has more up his sleeve for PyeongChang.”I would love to feel like an underdog but I just don’t,” White told a press conference at the US Grand Prix.”Ever since I can remember I’ve been expected to do well not only from the media and fans but even more so from myself. So I’m going in to hopefully do my best.” READ: From near-death crash to bronze at the OlympicsWhite’s best may be good enough, but he admits the pursuit of glory takes its toll.”You get to these goals in life and it’s not always what it seems. There’s two sides of the coin in everything,” he told reporters.”You can be the Olympic champion but you sacrifice things along the way.”Sitting here today I am a happier person and more comfortable with who I am and what I’ve accomplished and what I intend to accomplish than ever before.”The men’s halfpipe qualification begins Tuesday with the final Wednesday.

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