Shaun White won't defend skateboarding title at X Games (USA TODAY)

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By Reid Cherner, USA TODAY

Updated 3h 21m ago

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By Greg M. Cooper, US Presswire

X Games Los Angeles 2012will be missing a superstar.

Skateboarder Shaun White will not defend his Skateboard Vert gold medal.

That leaves the door open for three-time winner and last year's silver medalistPierre-Luc Gagnon.

"Shaun has decided to sit out this year's X Games in Los Angeles," White's publicist, Samantha Hill told Keith Hamm of ESPN.com. "This has been a lively year so far; he's now getting back on his skateboard and is excited for summer."

In 2011, White used his final run to defeat Gagnon.

"...I definitely had a feeling that (X Games) didn't seem like his main priority, and he's not the kind of guy to show up and wing it," said Gagnon. "He had a great snowboard season (three Winter X gold medals) and now maybe he just wants to take it easy, enjoy life."

See photos of: Shaun White

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