So, there I was with a pout on my face, when I was slapped upside the head with the most beautiful thing. Interrupting the street finals, the announcer came over the loud speaker and told us that the helicopters had picked up the next two incoming Extreme Adventure teams. After 5 days of racing they were now fighting for silver and bronze medals. Apparently about 2 miles off shore they spotted each other and realized that they were seconds apart --after 5 days. How is that possible? Now, exhausted, almost at the finish line, they have to start paddling like hell in order to beat each other. We were standing in the bleachers of the street course watching (on the Jumbo Trom) six people haul ass. They had to stop the in-line competition because, well, the situation was riveting and the finish line was right in front of us. So, we watched and cheered. For about 20 minutes we watched one team burst ahead and then the other, until we were confused about which team was which and all I kept thinking about was how ridiculously short that 75 second street course run seemed in comparison to THIS. After 5 days these people were giving every last bit they had. They were summoning every ion of juice left in their collective bodies. They had pulled muscles, blistered hands and feet. They were cut, scraped, bruised and their competitive spirits were forced into overdrive. I couldn't stand it. When they finally rounded the corner, right in front of us, the boats were so close I couldn't tell which one was ahead. It was so sad that someone had to lose. When they finally docked their boats I don't think they were prepared for the thousands of people staring down at them cheering. In fact, the crowd wouldn't have been there if not for the street finals. We just stood in awe watching them tottering down the dock looking dazed and confused. A few minutes passed and then the announcer forced our attention back to the street finals to watch the second set of skate runs. The second set didn't go as well as the first, the skaters were probably tired. Poor kids. "Maybe they shouldn't have had that third shot of tequila after another couple of bong hits before going to bed after sunrise so they could wake up to an aspirin, Marlboro, and Coke breakfast of champions to compete hungover while sucking air for the last half of their 75 seconds" my reserved husband ranted while I sat quietly next to him. (I'm hardly ever quiet). This land of Extremes is a strange and beautiful place. Super conditioned demigods and pot smoking daredevils are both recognized as world class athletes because living on the edge is what it's all about. And as Suzy Kolber, the X Games co-host once said "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room."