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Bell Aqua Ski Lakes (Sacramento, CA)
Day 1: More than a month had past since my disappointing experience at the Masters, and I had finally regained my confidence. I was ready to go again! In the preliminaries at the Malibu Open I ran 3 @ 38 off. With 9 women after me I was not sure if that was going to make the cut (8 women were going to the semi-finals). The waiting game began and I sat there and watched my fate unfold. After watching Rhoni Barton and Regina Jaquess both tie my score, I realized I should start preparing myself for a runoff. So I taped up my hands and mentally got ready to ski again. In this particular runoff the skiers with the higher seed were allowed to choose which spot they would ski in the runoff, so Rhoni and Regina were allowed to choose first. Rhoni ended up going first, Regina second, and I got the last spot with ALL the pressure on me. Since we all had finished at 38off, we had to go off the dock at 35off for the runoff. I had never done this before, but I felt confident. Rhoni and Regina both went out and ran the 35off pass and got 3 @ 38! Ohhhh the pressure was on me now! I went out and ran 35off and I knew that it was going to take more than 3 @ 38 if I wanted in the semi-finals. I ended up running the entire 38off pass. I was satisfied with that performance because not only had I run 38off for only the 8th time in my career, but I ran it with almost no warm up, and a lot of pressure!
Day 2: The next day in the semis I was second off the dock with 6 women after me. Only 4 make the finals so I knew that I was going to have to do something big if I wanted in the finals on Sunday. The wind was blowing quite steadily and I realized that I was going to have to change something so I would have a 38 head wind. Since the women are required to start at 28off in most pro events, starting lower was not an option. I could either start at 32off, which would set me up with a 38 head wind, or I could run 28off and then opt up to 35off and brave running 35off in a stiff tailwind. After my 28off pass I knew that if I wanted in the finals I needed that 38 head wind. It was either all or nothing. So I opted up and ran the 35off pass. This set me up perfectly to get deep into 38 or run it in the head wind, but I messed up and fell around 3. I was not happy, but it was still a good experience and I feel that I did give it my best by trying something new! I ended up 6th which meant no finals, but I still have the U.S. Open and I know I can do it there because I did last year! I thanked the Lord Sunday for helping me make it as far as I did. Through Him I hope to do better the next time!
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