Well, you are probably wondering if it rained today…….it didn’t, so it was go-time for the finals! I was glad to skate again but didn’t want to lose my 6th place. Jami and I just prayed for God’s will to happen.

Below: Chris van der Merwe in the warm ups before the finals

Last night we ate some chicken and my stomach started feeling bad about 20mins after that. This morning I went to the stadium where the X-Games is being held with a body that is not feeling ready to skate a competition. Jami and I prayed and just believed that I would be ready when the warm ups start. They delayed the competition with an hour because of last night’s rain that they needed to dry on the the course. By the time the warm ups started I was feeling way better and ready to roll.

Below: Finals warm up time

In the finals was two heats of 5 skaters, I was in the second heat. I didn’t really watch the first heat intensely and I didn’t know what the competitors’ scores was. You get 4 runs of 45 seconds. I messed up my first run, then landed a safe run in my second go. In my third and fourth run I tried to step up the level a bit but messed up in both runs. The top 5 went through to the last final which I knew I didn’t make. So Jami and I was just hoping and praying from that point on that I would remain in my previous placing, 6th place.

After the contest I really wanted to be a bit angry for not landing the more difficult run I wanted to do, then Jami just said, “Chris, remember that we said we are going to praise God no matter what happens.” Then we prayed and just thanked God for an awesome time and that we would be happy with whatever the outcome might be but also that it would be really nice to remain in 6th place but still let His will be done coz  His will is perfect. Well, God is always good and we can just be stoked with what He gives us because He knows best. Thank you Lord!!!!

Below is the final results:

10. Kirill Galushko (RUS)

9. Diego Guilloud (SUI)

8. Pascal Morasse (CAN)

7. Chien Kai aka Killa K (TPE)

6. Chris van der Merwe (RSA)

5. Chris Haffey (USA)

4. Yuto Goto (JPN)

3. Worapoj Boonnim aka Note (THA)

2. Soichiro Kanashima (JPN)

1. Jeff Stockwell (USA)