RACE TO ALASKA 2016 (R2AK.com)

hardee · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 6:26 pm Post subject: RACE TO ALASKA 2016 (R2AK.com)

RACE TO ALASKA 2016

It’s on again, and it looks to be more exciting and more enticing than last year.
Here is the home page link:
http://r2ak.com/

Stage One: Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC

Start: Thursday, June 23, 2016 @ 05-0600
40 miles and 36 hour time limit
12 teams
Smallest boat – 6 feet, Solar Sailor

Stage Two: Victoria, BC

Start: Sunday, June 05, 2016 @ noon
710 miles, 2 check points
Anything that floats without a motor

There is some local stuff:
Pre-Race Ruckus
https://r2ak.com/pre-race-ruckus/
Wednesday, June 22
3:00–8:00 p.m. in Port Townsend, WA

I don’t have the links to the tracking site yet, but each vessel will have a SPOT tracing device again this year, with “improved” tracking, and communication. It is a big operation, involving several hundred volunteers, and agencies.

It will be worth watching. The Port Townsend waterfront has never been as busy as early in the morning as last year’s start. And the 40 something boats that crossed the line at that start came at me like a rush of elk out of a morning mist, all looking for me. (Well, I was just at the line where they turned the corner around Point Wilson, into a 20+ wind against a 10 - 12 foot tidal drop.) WhaaWhooo.

Check it out, come out and see the start in Port Townsend, or the Victoria celebration first finish or the second start on Sunday morning, June 26.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 7:20 pm Post subject:

Oh my, now I am trouble. Last year, I would get up in the middle of the night to see what progress they made!

Thanks for the heats up. Wish we were up there to see the start!

After reading the entrants for the full, race, all I can say is WOW..It is going to be quite a race--no matter what. Please if you have any sailing back ground take the time to laugh your way thru the list and comments on all of the boats and crew!

ghone · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2016 1:08 pm Post subject:

Watch MOB this year Mail Order Bride got a weight reduction!!! (From where I asked Wayne, he wasn't saying) and a rig increase for more power!!!yikes
This is a fast machine and Wayne and crew are drivers
Local guys who like to go fast and Push the limits
Fun race coming up
George

hardee · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:38 pm Post subject:

Right George, it is a "fun race coming up". Stay tuned.

Anyone in the area that has a chance should come to Port Townsend for the Race Ruckus, the day before. You will get to meet the crews, see the boats, and have a ton of fun.

The Ruckus is Here.

Be sure and check the participants list. You may need some ace bandage for doing that. it could make your ribs hurt Laughing

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 1:01 pm Post subject:

Race to Alaska is getting closer. START is one week from today.

Volunteer meeting is today and then things are really underway.

http://www.r2ak.com/

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 1:06 pm Post subject:

Susan and I were in a shop in gibbons harbor last week and met the mom of the boat yard boys , or boy as her son is racing solo this year. She was hoot to talk to too. told us all about the race and why her son is a dumb ass for going. She is used to him doing crazy things but is still worried.

hardee · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 2:17 pm Post subject:

I jsut asked for info on the tracker page and got this email from the Race Boss, Danial Evans, who is, right now, a very busy guy.

Hey Harvey

We won’t have the correct embedded code until it is up on our website, but if you point them to. http://r2ak.com/ the tracker will be there by race day.

Cheers,
Daniel Evans
Race Boss - Race to Alaska
Northwest Maritime Center

www.racetoalaska.com

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 7:21 am Post subject:

Check this one out. Smallest boat in the race, and NO Crew, yup, Zero crew.

http://navocean.com/

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 12:38 pm Post subject:

Any C-Dorys (C-BRATS) going to be out for the start of the race? It is an early wake-up call. Start is scheduled for 0600, with the start line leading south off the Wooden Boat, (PT Maritime) Center dock. It promises to be an exciting, and picturesque start, No matter the weather.

If you are out and have not put in the C-BRATS Group Call MMSI number, it might be worth it to do before Wednesday night.

Here's the number for you:

036697831

check the link for more info and basic instructions.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

starcrafttom · Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 1:22 pm Post subject:

that sail drone is neat but at a cruise of only three knots it might be a while until it gets there.

hardee · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:04 am Post subject:

You could be right Tom, but then again there are variables. Wind, current, travel time, and .... said the turtle to the hare CoolSmile

For the place to get current status on racers, news of the day and photos check this link:

https://r2ak.com/2016-race-updates/

and make your choice.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hardee · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:31 pm Post subject:

Fore warning, RANT about to happen. Evil or Very Mad

Somewhere between a fit of brilliance, a stroke of total insanity, and a rather blatant shout of apathy toward efforts to provide safety communication capability for the Race to Alaska participants, the RSV (Race Support Vessels) Safety, Escort and Medical vessels who volunteer services for this event, the US Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxillary, who have a communication trailer, which is ostensibly designed for this exact purpose, have seen fit to withdraw the offer of it's use for this event.

Apparently there is conflict with those agencies as to who can operate the on board radio equipment and who gets to say what the procedures would be for monitoring and rendering assistance, should any adverse event occur. And probably some other "politics" involved too.

OK, I'm done ranting now, so those of you who prefer not to read rants can start here. Wink

The race is still going to go one, adjustments have already been put into place, and I for one, have lost a huge amount of respect for those 2 agencies and their "mission".

Predected weather is either 4 knows out of the south on a big ebb. Increasing to 12-15 later in the day

OR

F o o o o g

This is going to be interseting. BTW, the 70+ foot multihull that was entered "broke" on the way up the west coast and will not be in the race. That crew (of 11) is going on a 30+ something multi instead.

"Broke" = something major broke but all on board are safe.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 3:14 pm Post subject:

Well they are not only underway, but by this time (about Noon there) they are spread out all over the straits, including some who are finishing currently;

Here is the link to tracking.

Twitter updates Mad dog racing first, and Bad kitty second.

Facebook looks like some screaming times going across!

NORO LIM · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 3:32 pm Post subject:

Haven't seen the official times, yet, but Mad Dog won handily. They were well ahead within a short time after the start. There was a 20 knot Northerly at Smith Island (head of the Strait) for much of the morning. I saw several boat speed readings in the 16 - 18 mph range, and I'll bet the winner, at least, exceeded that from time to time.

We went up to check the boats out yesterday. Pretty obvious this year's entrants include a lot of people who noticed what kind of boat won last year!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:47 pm Post subject: