RACE To ALASKA 2016 June 23

[hardee]

RACE To ALASKA 2016 June 23

R2AK

It is on again, so this is the second annual R2AK and already there is a ton of interest, lots of applicants and building suspense.

The Link is:
http://r2ak.com/

The course is the same. First leg is from Port Townsend to Victoria, 40 miles of anything goes, Strait of Juan de Fuca, after rounding the corner at Point Wilson. The first leg is a testing ground to make sure the vessel and crew are up to the unforgiving elements of the second leg. The second “half” is 710 miles, 2 check points, and the finish is Ketchikan, Alaska and if you are first, you get $10,000. Second place gets a set of steak knives and shares with the rest of the finishers the incredible feeling of accomplishment few of us will attain.

Last year 35 teams started, 15 finished. The entire race was run in “Small Craft Warning” or higher winds, (well except for about 6 hours.)

There will be SPOT tracking again, so there are regular updates, and there will be good coverage. The rules are pretty simple: No Motors. Sail or people power, and there is no sailing in the Victoria Harbor so every boat has to be people powered for that 4-5 miles. After that, it’s up to the elements and the will of the crews.

Enjoy,

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[ghone]

Thanks Harvey, great race, amazingly enough several teams are doing it again! Last years race was tough, 750 windward miles into small craft or more. 40 knots in Seymour Narrows the lead boat sailed against a 12 knot flood at 24 knots! Making 12 knots over the ground. Unbelievable grit and determination by all. This year has more multi hulls of course
Looking forward to watching.
George

 

[Jackie]

Hey, thanks for sharing that! It was pretty cool last year when the boats started coming in. Especially the last one; there was a big whoop-t-do when they finally made it. I don't remember exactly how much later they came in than the others, but it was quite a while and everyone turned out to cheer them on and in!

If you look at the race fb page, the finishers are photographed on the Baranof Excursions dock, which is where my kids have worked in the summer for years. Bekah is a full time employee doing sales and marketing these days, and Maxx will be back on the dock for the summer.

If you're around stop by Baranof's restaurant, the Alaskan Fish House, grab a meal and say 'hi' or book a fishing trip. Bekah will hook you up! (Sorry for the shameless plugs. It's a mom thing....)

Jackie

 

[hardee]

"....or book a fishing trip. Bekah will hook you up! (Sorry for the shameless plugs. It's a mom thing....)

Jackie

Not many rules on the CBRATS site, and I'm sure there is no problem "plugging" family. AND, I couldn't help noticing the pun just slid right by. :lol:

I was on the starting end of the race, working as a "safety boat" in the Point Wilson Rip just off Port Townsend. Would love to have seen those same faces on the top end, too.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon