What is the Race to Alaska (R2AK)? There’s no official course (other than one waypoint at Bella Bella), and the tagline says it all — 750 miles, no motors, no support. All the way to Alaska. Or as they describe it:
It’s like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.
First held in 2015, the R2AK is North America’s longest human and wind powered race. This year, there are 38 teams racing the whole way to Ketchikan and 12 teams only doing the Stage 1 Proving Ground portion, from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC. (As if 40 miles across the Strait of Juan de Fuca could be classified as only…) Stage 2 goes another 710 miles from Victoria, BC to Ketchikan, AK. The 50 teams hail from as far away as Australia, the UK and Canada, and across the US, from Maine to Washington. Though team Pocket Rockanauts from Missoula, MT and team Skywalker from Durango, CO kind of confuses me — last time I checked, both Montana and Colorado are landlocked.
Not being inclined to get up and leave the house tomorrow morning at 4:00 a.m. to make the 5:00 a.m. start of the race in Port Townsend, I opted to go to the Ruckus, the pre-race party.
Plenty of sidewalk chalkart and chalk for the kiddos (and some adults) to play with.
Get a free tattoo of the R2AK logo from Towns End Tattoo. There were lots of people in line! (Don’t worry Mom, I didn’t.)
An all-ages beer garden, food vendors, swag (yes, I bought the t-shirt), a live band and the chance to look at some of the boats and talk to the racers.
I wasn’t hungry until I walked past the Barbarian Food Truck and smelled their burgers. Oh boy was it good – a 6oz burger, white Tillamook cheddar, grilled apples and onions and all the trimmings on a fresh baked and grilled potato bun.
Having satisfied my stomach, it was time to stroll around, look at the boats and chat with some of the racers.
Yes, there are people insane enough to row/kayak/paddle/peddle all the way to Ketchikan!
Walrus bow ornament on the Don’t Tell Mom boat.
Team Perseverance’s 19 foot modified row criuser. I talked to Doug (in the green t-shirt) who lives in Sedro Woolley, WA. After being turned down in 2017, he dropped 90 pounds, got into shape, built a boat and trained like crazy. He’s done the race in 2018 and 2019, but didn’t finish. Third time’s the charm, he says. He figures it’ll take him 14-18 days to make Ketchikan. I’m pulling for you Doug!
Every boat I looked at had solar panels. Doug explained that the panels charge all the electronics – tracker, navigation, cell phone, and even the bilge pump.
Katy of Team Razzle Dazzle, from Savannah, GA, has entered the race 4 times, and finished every time. I can’t even imagine doing this once, much less going for a fifth time. And on a row cruiser, no less.
Lillian comes from Port Angeles. She’s the one woman dynamo of Team Interstice and this year is doing the Seventy48 which ends today, and leaving tomorrow on the R2AK. That’s crazy!
Speaking for the Seventy48, it’s a human powered (no sails, no motors) going the 70 miles from Tacoma to Port Townsend in 48 hours.
One of the finishers of the Seventy48. Just a few more feet, ring the bell, and then you can go home.
The list of finishers of the Seventy48. The winning team did it in under 10 hours.
What a fun way to spend an afternoon. Next year, I’m dragging my sister and brother-in-law along. I’m not foolhardy enough to say I’m going to drag my a$$ onto a sailboat and head for Alaska.
Links of Interest:
- Race to Alaska – website. Check this out. There’s a race tracker so you can see where the boats are.
- Seventy48 – website
- Northwest Maritime Center – website
Location:
Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA