On our national day of thanks, as Hugh and I transition into the final phase of the journey we have taken together, we recognize that wehave a lot to be thankful for. At the moment we are especially thankful that we have made it this far in a race that has historically, and this year is no exception, thwarted so many competitors before they even passed the Azores.

 Since we began prepping for this event 4 months ago we have had a lot of help and encouragement from all corners of our lives. It has not gone unappreciated. We would like to thank our families for their support, and especially Emily and Julianna for putting up with us and our need to do crazy things like sail across oceans. We know we are not that easy all the time.

 There have also been a lot of people in the marine industry, especially in Rhode Island, without which we could not have put all this together. Rob Windsor has been our preparateur extraordinaire with a can-doattitude, an outstanding work ethic, and a surprising talent for international diplomacy. Bob Windsor and Sam Haycock also braved the North Atlantic in October with Rob to deliver the boat to Europe for us.

 A big thanks is also needed to the 11th Hour Racing project and the folks at the Quantum Newport Sail Loft. Others such as Eli Dana and the Newport Shipyard, Brian Harris and the crew at the Maine Yacht Center, Hall Rigging, Euro Marine Trading, Dan from Life Raft and Survival Equipment, Goetz Custom Yachts, and Custom Marine Navigation have been instrumental inhelping us outfit and prepare for this event. Innovative Satellite Solutions has also been helpful in seeing to our communications needs.

 Mike Hennessy, aka Rail Meat, thanks also for the gear, good advice, and letting Hugh and I train with you during the Fastnet. Thanks also to all our friends who have been following our progress and sending us encouragement along the way. It has meant a lot.

 If we had thought it out properly, we would have broughtsome sort of Turkey Day food. We, unfortunately, are just lucky to be organized enough such that we still have some food left to eat at all. As it is, I think the best we can do is a couple bags of freeze dried Chicken a la King with the last of our bottle of parmesan cheese. Yummy.

So here is a big Gobble Gobble from two fools bobbing around in a boat 250 miles off the coast of Columbia.

 Signing Off,

Nick and Hugh
11th Hour Racing Team
15 29.77N
074 18.89W
Day 22