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Shaun White gives jaw-dropping performance to qualify for halfpipe final

White slipped into 2nd place, and that motivated what turned out to be an incredible run.
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 13: Shaun White of the United States warms up prior to the Snowboard Men's Halfpipe Qualification on day four of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Phoenix Snow Park on February 13, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

He's back.

Shaun White made his PyeongChang debut on Tuesday and qualified for the men's halfpipe final.

White was in first after his first run, but slipped to second before his second run thanks to Scotty James from Australia.

James did back-to-back 1260s and scored a 96.75. That bumped White down before his second run. But he wasn't going to be outdone.

White also did back-to-back 1260s but reached some amazing amplitude. He finished with a score of 98.50. It left the commentator exclaiming, "This is qualifying!"

There's definitely something special in store from the snowboarders who will compete for the gold medal on Tuesday night. White told NBC after his run that viewers can expect some 1440s and big combinations.

"I'm pumped to get through this round. I knew I had this great run in me," White told NBC. "Everyone was stepping it up. I knew I had to do something special on that last run."

White returned after missing the podium in Sochi four years ago. He also is returning after a horrific crash on the halfpipe last October. While White was landing a trick, his head slammed against the lip of the pipe. He needed 62 stitches in his face.

White admitted that he was more nervous about qualifying for the gold medal run because of all the "build up."

But he's made it, and he's got a chance to win his third gold medal and finally get his redemption.

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