Close Competitions

CLOSE COMPETITIONS often make for exciting endings. Heading into the skysurfing finals at the 2000 X Games, the top three teams all had a chance for the gold. But in the end, nobody could overcome Stefan Klaus and Brian Rogers.

The team of skysurfer Klaus and cameraflyer Rogers didn’t pull the most technical routines. However, their style, their close flying quarters, and their unique moves put them a cut ahead in the judges’ eyes.

Coming into the competition, Eric Fradet and Alex Iodice were favored. And they began the final day by putting together an incredibly technical jump to score 97 points. However, a low score on their third-round jump kept them from the top. Valery Rozov and Clif Burch found themselves in the mix as they entered their final attempt just 13 points behind Klaus and Rogers. However, a poor performance cost them a chance at No. 1.

But Klaus and Rogers didn’t falter. They ended the competition the same way they’d started it—by turning in the top score. Their average of 95.8 points over six rounds gave them the gold medal and $18,000 in prize money—the largest monetary prize to that date in skysurfing. Rozov and Burch averaged 94.6 to claim the silver, while Fradet and Iodice averaged 94.1 per jump.

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POINT Consistency was the key for Stefan Klaus and Brian Rogers. By not posting a bad score, they won the gold at the 2000 X Games. Both athletes trusted the other to be in the right place at the right time as they fell to the ground at speeds of more than 100 mph. Tightly packed twists and smooth transitions between tricks demonstrated the hard work the team had put into doing well.

God wants us to show that same kind of teamwork in our Christian life. We need to trust fellow believers and work together to build up God’s kingdom.

GOAL! God knows you work best with a friend or as a team. Who are some of your teammates from church or school?