Goodness.  That was everything I had hoped and more.  In the end?  James led down the hill, got passed in turn 2, came under the leader (Logan Schultz) in turn 3, and raced side-by-side down the whole last straightaway!  I couldn't tell who won from the top of the hill (literal inches) and ran down to James - "Who won?"  He held up his little paper tag with the 1 on it and proclaimed in his best "proud" voice: "I did".  Truly unbelievable.

He wrecked in his third practice run of the day.  That bump-up at the bottom of the starting hill is treacherous.  The rest of his practice he was so tentative.  We got a FaceTime pep talk  from coach Justice Moots (THANKS) around midday.  James cowboy'd up and made me so proud.  Not because he won, but because he came back from falling.  He made it though a greuelling day of waiting to win.  He was fearless down the first hill and on that nasty bump-up.  He remembered his teaching and cut low in the turn and pushed the other guy higher.  He left it all on the track during the final sprint.  He did everything right.  He competed the way you're supposed to.  Win or lose, THAT'S why I couldn't have been prouder.  He truly is the best part of me.

The trophy as tall as him helped, too.

Amazing experience at Gator, too.  Just being there.

BTW--> to anyone reading this--> I'd pay good money for a photo of any part of that final 50 yards of side-by-side with Logan.  That was the most excitement I've had in forever!