To limp home

Yes, essentially, that is what it means. The sentence, out of context, is not clear. However, one assumes that it is not a race, because it were unlikely that he could have qualified for the finals if he were limping by the end of a race. "Home" could mean getting back to a place from which he could start again to make a good performance, and therefore enter the finals. "Home" could also refer to the game of baseball, in which the starting point for a base runner is called "home plate," or just "home." A base runner in baseball must proceed to first base, second base, third base and then go back to the starting point--go "home"--in order to score.

thank you, I think I got it. actually. it's a rider in a wakeboarding event who just fell into the water moments before the end of his run. so I guess the tv host is sort of saying a pun, the rider is limping because of the fall but still makes it to the finals.