THE LAST FROSTBITE was sailed yesterday on the fifth of five consecutive Sundays in Hampton Roads.  It was cold and it was bitter.  Some said that on the way to the course they saw air temps in the 30s.  Consider the source of these comments, though.  These are people who actually continued to the race course in the conditions they were reporting.  RESULTS, FROSTBITE RACE 5:  PHRF A (6 boats) – 1. Phil Briggs, Feather; 2.Glenn Doncaster, Nanuq; 3.Cary Hardesty, Bow Down.  PHRF B (6 boats) – 1.Bob Archer, Bad Habit; 2. Ben Cuker, Callinectes; 3. Graham Field, Independence.  PHRF C (3 boats) – 1. Alan Bomar, Roundabout.  Principal Race Officer Brian Deibler.   Frostbite Series winners will be announced at the HYC awards ceremony, Tuesday, December 4. 

HURRY – 20% OFF of orders placed by tomorrow, November 27^th.  PHOTOBOAT photos always fit.  They’re never re-gifted, exchanged, or returned.  They’re the perfect gift.  Go to www.PhotoBoat.com , click on the galleries and find the pictures you want.  The 20% coupon code is TURKEY2012.

Southern Bay J24 racer, Mike Veraldi takes it upon himself every year at this holiday time to coordinate a collection of toys and children’s goodies for homeless kids.  He does it under the FORKids banner.  Mike has tried to make it very easy this year for racers to contribute a toy: (1) order your gift online and have it shipped directly to Mike’s address (Mike Veraldi, 2324 Rookery Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23455) or, (2) contact Mike at 757-343-4909 and make arrangements to drop off your donation or have it picked up, (3) bring it to O’Leary’s on Saturday Dec 1^st and enjoy the annual toy drive fest and get together.  The key is to do it now, so that the truck can be packed by Dec 3^rd. 

www.americascup.com  You can punch up this link to stay tuned in to the AC racing developments.  Just the pictures of these giant birds are worth the look. 

THE GABOON is THIS COMING SUNDAY, December 2^nd, pursuit race (staggered start), organized by Hampton Yacht Club, OPEN TO ALL. Valid PHRF rating is required; Equipment Category 5P is allowed in addition to 4P. Staggered start times begin at 1300; start times will be posted for each entry at the registration table in the HYC Lounge on race day. Entries will be accepted until 1230 on race day. Entry fee: $25 for US Sailing members ($30 for non-USSA members). Submit entries to: Race Committee – Gaboon Race, Hampton Yacht Club, 4707 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, VA 23669. For info please contact Phil Briggs at 757-723-5477. This is the 35^th year of the Gaboon Race. As always for this annual event, PHRF crew number limitations do NOT apply. So, “Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies…” – this is THE GABOON!

Southern Bay Racers can turn up anywhere – that’s  Moth racer Joe Bousquet (Norfolk)  pictured on his foiler Moth in an APS ad for Crugear@.

MURPHY'S LAW: A literary favorite, William Cowper, of Yrs Truly, the Racing Beagle, came up with a famous quote that today certainly is apropos of Thanksgiving feasting.  Old Bill (1731-1800) wrote, “Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all its flavour.”  Bill lived on the brink of madness, but surely could have seen the truth in his words as applied to roast turkey drenched in squirrel gravy with acorns from the backyard.  Yes, indeed, the spice of [beagle] life! [The Task, II – William Cowper]  /S/  Murphy the Racing Beagle, the sailing spirit in us all.