11:50 p.m.: Racers were arriving all evening at the final check point today looking exhausted yet satisfied with their accomplishments. Other racers also came back to cheer on incoming teams, something Jodie Pfefferkorn, who is making a documentary of the race, said has never happened before. The most prominent display of support was the ovation Hannah Grow, 14, and Marissa Weber, 12, received for finishing the race and doing it under 80 hours. They said they were motivated at the end to beat their dads who rode with them for support, and in doing so they were able to pick up the pace during the home stretch to finish under 80 hours beating several adults more than twice their age. They even received flowers, hugs, and pats on the back from racers and their family and friends.
During the award ceremony at the end of the night racers received black medals for finishing the race under 88 hours. Mansker said that everyone left on the water will finish the race on time. Despite the weariness of the race, everyone was in good spirits. One person even walked around in a speedo playing his guitar.
By Brian Nordli
