Who want give the 2nd edition of R2AK a try with a Trimaran or Cat in 2016… as most (9) of the 15 teams did in 2015 for the total distance of ~750 nm ? (Rec.: The winner in 2015 (8th-12th June) was Team Elsie Piddock with skipper Al Hughes on a Tri F-25c (Farrier) , see video below.)
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- Day 1: Victoria to Gabriola…
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- 1st: Team Elsie Piddock (F-25c Tri)
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- 2nd: Team MOB Mentality (F-85SR Tri)
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- 3rd: Team Por Favor (Hobie 33 Cat)
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- 4th: Team FreeBurd (ARC 22 Cat (Aquarius Sail))
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- 5th: Team Kohara (Warrior 29 Cat)
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- 6th: Team Un-Cruise (F-25c Tri)
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- 7th: Team Soggy Beavers (OC-6 Outrigger Canoe)
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- 8th: Team Mau (Nacra 570 Cat)
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- 9th: Team Blackfish (F-27 Tri)
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- 11th: Team Discovery (small Tri)
750 miles of 50 degree water…
The inside passage to Alaska has been paddled by native canoes since time immemorial, sailing craft for centuries, and after someone found gold in the Klondike the route was jammed with steamboats full of prospectors elbowing each other out of the way for the promise of fortune.
It’s in the spirit of tradition, exploration, and the lawless self-reliance of the gold rush that Race to Alaska was born. R2AK (Race to Alaska) was in 2015 (8th-12th June) the first of its kind and North America’s longest human and wind powered race, and currently the largest cash prize for a race of its kind.
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 god’s green earth.
R2AK is based on the hardest kind of simplicity:
- You, a boat, a starting gun
- $10,000 if you finish first
- A set of steak knives if you’re second
- Cathartic elation if you can simply complete the course.
- Self-supported race: no supply drops, no safety net.
- Any boat without an engine can enter.
Announcement of 2nd edition: RACE To AlasKa 2016.
It’s happening again on June 23rd. That’s about all we know. Well, all we’re telling right now. We will be announcing details at the 39th Annual Wooden Boat Festival on September 11, 2015 and team registration will open as well.
If you want the real scoop come to the R2AK Blazer Party September 11th, 6-8pm at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival and mix it up with racers and race organizers. We’re throwing that finish line party, recognizing the world records that were established, handing out some awards (including the coveted “Dirtbag Award” for the people to finish with the cheapest boat), announcing the details for next year’s race and eating the favorite finger foods of the Queen of England, minus the liver påté.
Cost is $25. Racers from 2015 get in free and will be issued one of the “official” R2AK blazers we bought at random thrift stores over the year. Racers who were in both stages of the race get one with two arms…
You should really RSVP at blazer@r2ak.com and remember to say whether you are a racer or just a huge fan, like us.
You can also sign up to stay informed about the future of the race.
Relive the 2015 race:
- Race results for Stage One
- Race results for the Full Race
- Replay SPOT tracker for Stage One
- Replay SPOT tracker for the Full Race
- Meet the teams
- Race updates from the R2AK team
- Updates from 48 North
- Updates from Small Craft Advisor
- Read things we wrote, just on a different website: Updates from Scuttlebutt Sailing News
- Slide shows and video updates
Visit the Swagger Wall and see who correctly predicted the winners!
All 750 miles of the inaugural R2AK started in Port Townsend on Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 am.
(Source: 08/2015 – www.r2ak.com)
Video of the winner Team Elsie Piddock during the race.
… arrival as winner in Ketchikan on 12th June 2015.
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