Race to Alaska: the anti-yacht race >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News

Doug Kennedy has spent many years crusing the globe. He’s navigated Scandinavian waters like a viking, and as soon as crossed the Atlantic from the coast of Morocco to the Caribbean over a three-week journey.

A visit north alongside British Columbia’s coast ought to, in principle, be simple for him. In follow, will probably be something however for Kennedy and a bunch of Nelson sailors trying to make historical past, if they will end the journey that’s. “It’s as difficult a spot to sail as anyplace on the earth,” says Kennedy.

The Kootenay Pedalwheelers, a group of six together with Kennedy, Jay Blackmore, Mike Bowick, Roger Hassol, Todd Kettner and Mike Sagal, are set to compete within the 2022 Race to Alaska starting June 13. The occasion is a 1,200-kilometer endurance race from Port Townsend, Wash., to Ketchikan, Alaska. The 38 groups collaborating are certain by two guidelines: no motors and no exterior assist.

Meaning if the Pedalwheelers need to turn into the primary Canadian group to win the race, they’ll have to work collectively to beat unpredictable climate, wildlife and exhaustion utilizing solely the sails of their boat to navigate the Pacific. “It’s the anti-yacht race,” says Blackmore. “It’s the race for the everyman.”

The Pedalwheelers will compete within the Amurskaya, a 10-metre Flying Tiger sail boat. Blackmore describes it as a race automobile chassis with nothing however engine. Contained in the small hull is an area for further sails, provides and two sleeping berths.

When the race begins, the crew will take four-hour shifts in pairs both on the helm, working the sails or resting inside. They’ll sail 24-7, both testing the open waters to chop down on time or nearer to the coast in calmer situations.

Groups have 48 hours to journey 64 kilometres from Port Townsend to Victoria or be disqualified. After that, they start the journey to Alaska with just one obligatory check-in at Bella Bella, B.C. If the boat is broken, they’ve to repair it themselves. In the event that they run out of meals, they should discover a place to resupply. If there’s a mutiny, effectively, that’s most likely unlikely.

“It’s simply enjoyable having an endeavor, a venture, a purpose that we’re all working in the direction of,” says Blackmore. “All of us have a love of crusing and a ardour for it and journey.”

It’s the primary time the Pedalwheelers have taken half within the race, however they’ve been making ready for years. COVID-19 cancelled their plans to take part within the 2020 occasion, so as an alternative they made a seven-day journey round Vancouver Island as a comfort.

The crew ranges from skilled sailors like Blackmore and Kennedy to Mike Sagal, who’s on his first multi-day journey with the group. Sagal was on the helm steering the Amurskaya on Friday throughout the group’s closing follow session on Kootenay Lake.

“I like how a lot it’s important to take note of the setting round you and regulate to it on a regular basis,” he says. “The winds will choose up after which it’s important to adapt in a short time and be very conscious and mainly make the perfect benefits out of the wind you’re given.”

The group is aiming to complete the race in 5 days. In 2019, solely 25-of-45 groups accomplished the journey, so simply making it to Alaska in a single piece could be price celebrating. However Blackmore likes their probabilities. “We really feel like we’ve obtained an excellent shot at top-10. After that it’s a roll of the cube.”

Whichever group finishes first receives $10,000, everything of which the Pedalwheelers say they may donate to Buddies of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society, a non-profit that works on sustainability initiatives.

The one different prize is a set of steak knives for ending second. The knives, and the reminiscences, the group will hold for themselves.

Race particulars – 2019 Outcomes – Fb – Instagram

Race to Alaska, now in its sixth yr, follows the identical normal guidelines which launched this insanity. No motor, no help, via wild frontier, navigating by sail or peddle/paddle (however in some unspecified time in the future each) the 750 chilly water miles from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska.

To avoid wasting individuals from themselves, and presumably fulfill occasion insurance coverage protection necessities, the gap is split into two phases. Anybody that completes the 40-mile crossing from Port Townsend to Victoria, BC can go Go and proceed. People who fail Stage 1 go to R2AK Jail. Their race is completed. Right here is the 2022 plan:

Stage 1 Race begin: June 13 – Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race begin: June 16 – Victoria, BC

There may be $10,000 for those who end first, a set of steak knives for those who’re second. Cathartic elation for those who can merely full the course. R2AK is a self-supported race with no provide drops and no security web. Any boat with out an engine can enter.

In 2019, there have been 48 starters for Stage 1 and 37 finishers. Of these finishers, 35 took on Stage 2 of which 10 had been tagged as DNF.

Source: Tyler Harper, thenorthernview.com