Although too young to compete, he still left fans in awe that day in Vermont with a dazzling run.

Some things just never change.

Now, just like back then, Shaun White can captivate an audience with his daring tricks.

White will defend his halfpipe title this weekend at the U.S. Open snowboarding championships as the competition moves out west to Vail, Colo., after a 30-year run at various mountains in Vermont.

As always, White will be the boarder to beat at the event where he once turned heads as a kid, when he took a practice run before the big names competed. After his performance back then, fans asked for his autograph.

Not really knowing cursive, he simply scribbled his name in big, block letters