Beijing (AFP) - American snowboard legend Shaun White breathed a heavy sigh of relief after leaving it until his second and last run to qualify for the final of the halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.
The three-time champion will retire from competition after the Games and he looked in danger of going out with a whimper after fluffing his first run, falling over and scoring just 24.25 to leave him a lowly 19th.
With only the top 12 going through to the final, he had to keep his nerve for his second effort.
He did just that, his 86.25 propelling him up to fourth and giving him an ultimately comfortable passage into Friday's decider.
"I can't tell you, riding away on that last hit was so incredible -- the relief," said the 35-year-old, who admitted he had been "slightly doubtful" he could rescue the situation.
"I knew I could do it, I was just like 'what if?' What if I slip or something happens -- I hit a snow chunk and it's over.That's the big fear -- the unforeseen."
White said he "let off the gas" going into a trick on his first run and paid the price, sliding down the halfpipe on his back moments later.
He had to wait for a nervous hour before getting his second run, but he said the pressure helped him "get it done" and could work to his advantage in the final.
"Yes, it would have been nice to just cruise in and have an easy first run, but I had to work for it, I had to fight for it," he said.
"I'm going to be ready for finals to fight it out there as well."
Japan's Ayumu Hirano topped qualifying with 93.25 at Genting Snow Park, followed by Australia's Scotty James and Japan's Ruka Hirano.
Ayumu Hirano said he had no doubts White would be joining him in the final.
"If it's Shaun, I'm sure he'll make it," the Japanese rider said before White's second run.
"I hope he gets it done and we can battle it out in the final."
After pulling the iron out of the fire and finishing fourth in qualifying, White believes he can make an impact in the final.
"I obviously have bigger and better tricks that I want to pull out for the finals," he said.
"That's the best part about it -- we're not holding back.I'm going to be giving it my all every run."
