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The crowds were huge and LOUD! The competition was sick with Stephen Wright, Jason Craig (14 years old), Nick Troutman (my future son in law) and Dustin Urban all vying for the podium. I felt like a proud dad just seeing 5 Jackson All-Stars in the finals, but I knew I no longer had a competitive advantage with my equipment. Looks like I need to go around and collect those boats and make them paddle something else! They aren't supposed to beat me, isn't that the deal? Doesn't Dustin know that rule? Ha.
Nick and Dustin both put down incredible rides with me still in first until Dustin's final ride. His final ride of 178 was one point higher than my best ride in pre-lims, meaning I needed my best ride of the competition to beat it. I fully expected that was what I was about to do on my final ride as I went in throwing hard and fast and as big as possible. the first 5 moves went really well and then it stalled out as I missed my first move and it turned into disaster as the clock ticked past the point of no return. Dustin truly nailed his ride and it put me in my favorite position in life- perform like a champ NOW or lose. In this case, I lost. I guess that is how you stay motivated and keep things real. Life isn't about always winning, it is about trying to win and do your best with no regrets.
Dustin, you are the man!
thanks for putting me in my place yesterday!
Don't get too comfortable, however, as we'll meet again next week at the National Championships, and I want to be 2008 National Champion, so it is game time again!
:)
EJ
p.s. with a baby on the way and a wonderful wife, you have a great thing going! |
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Teva Mountain Games Freestyle Event was awesome to compete in! New 
BoaterTalk 
