Didn’t think a 2.5 average at 39.5 would be enough but it ended up being perfect.  Made the cut as the 15th seed.  In the first round against #2 seed David Miller, David went first as is his tradition.  We both ran 32 then David ran 35 however there was a 10 minute (or so) discussion among the judges as to whether he missed his entrance gates or not.  Turned out that the judges agreed that he did miss them meaning I only need ½ a buoy to win my round.  Ran 35 and went in. 

The Elite 8 was run on the trick lake under the spot lights with lit buoys.  It was a wicked site as they went down the lake lighting them up.  In my round against Kris LaPoint, the judges gave me choice of going first or second which is normally a decision reserved for the higher seed in the bracket.  The only reason I can come up with is that I got choice because I had beaten the #2 seed.  No real reason but I opted to go first against Kris.  Probably should have fallen around 5 @ 38.  I believe the fact that I held on, completed the pass and I was the 15th seed (as well as a short 3 eventer) had the crowd on my side from that point forward.  As Kris came into run his 38 it was noticed that a gate ball had popped off.  They stopped him to fix it which ended up taking about 10 minutes or so.  I was actually wondering during the waiting if I was getting screwed.  Kris ran his 38.  I knew I had been sitting for a few minutes so I needed to be aggressive at 39.  Had a decent 1, didn’t get a great 2.  Could have stood up for the 3 but I wasn’t having it, said I’m getting past it or going down here, ended up with 2.5.  As I swam into shore the crowd was so loud and I was amazed at how many were there.  As I was walking to the announcers stand I looked back to see Kris fall around 3 meaning we tied and tie goes to the skier that went first. 

I couldn’t believe it, I was now in the Final 4. 

In the next round against Scott Larson, I was once again given choice.  Becky Lathrop had been my driver the first 2 rounds and we had a good thing going so I told the judges I don’t care if I’m first or second, I want Becky.  That meant Scott went out first.  As Scott went in for his 39.5 where I was waiting I couldn’t see what he was doing.  Becky told me Scott ran 2.5 so I needed 3.  Decent one, decent 2, stood up around 3 to win.  Got to the end of the lake and asked Becky to pinch me.  I had just made it into the finals and was about to go against Ben Favret. 

Skied back to the dock, waited a couple of minutes and the final round started with Ben going first, he later told me he thought about sending me back out first but didn’t want to screw me.  This also meant that I kept Becky as my driver.  Ben runs 39 which meant it was do or die time.  Didn’t get a good start and ended up with 2.  At the end of the lake I pulled out to high five and congratulate Ben.  Asked if he was skiing back to the dock or going into the shore, he said, “I’m still skiing, I’m going for the record”.  He ended up skiing inside of 3 and skied into shore.  On my way back to the dock I left go where he was and swam in with him.  There were a few people congratulating him but I have to say that most of the crowd seemed to be cheering for me.  It was an amazing, amazing experience.  Didn’t eat dinner that night until 11:15pm or so.  Got back to the house we were staying at, had 4 ibuprofen and covered my back in muscle rub (I still had to jump the next morning.  Videos to be posted soon.

Counting the Big Dawg and Nationals, it was 7 slalom sets in 36 hours plus a trick set.  Followed by a jump set the next morning. 

As for my U.S. Nationals placements, I ended up with a Gold Medal in Masters Men Overall, Tricks, & Jump with a 7th place finish in Slalomm.