RACE TO ALASKA UPDATE #1

Thursday June 4th, 4:20am, Port Townsend, .  The docks are alive with activity.  Last minute adjustments, some measured, some frantic.  Late arrivals running down the dock.  Running lights are on and the inaugural race to Alaska is set to begin in just 40 minutes.  The wind is blowing and dozens of VHF radios crackle to life with the announcement of a 30 minute delay to the start.  Groans filter through the fleet.

The race committee warned of adverse conditions in the straits and implored the fleet to be “prudent mariners and make wise choices”.  It was a day favoring fast Tri’s and Catamarans. The smaller human powered craft would have a tougher go of it.

Bus Bailey, a Canadian long distance rower

The start

53 teams started (including those only participating in the first stage from Port Townsend to Victoria) and the faster Trimarans and Catamarans, clearly in their element, screamed towards Point Wilson.  

A few teams struggled. As Frances Stokes famously said, “The Sea finds out everything you did wrong”.  For team CaRowLine it included a frustrating wrestling match with her rudder at the starting line.  Team Gold Rush’s homemade Trimaran began to founder in the straits and was rescued by a coast guard auxiliary safety boat.  The rescue included some tense moments as it was in the shipping lanes as a container ship bore down on their location.  Vessel assist later towed the craft back to Port Townsend.

Team Gold Rush, the day prior to the start

After the rescue

In all 7 teams had to retire from the race.  Frustration and disappointment were clear over the VHF as months of work and effort were scuttled by a particular weak point in the plan.

After the Team Gold Rush boat was deposited on the beach by Vessel Assist, a small crowd gathered, most silent, some speaking in hushed tones as if at a memorial service.  It was a funeral of sorts — not for a person, but an idea — a dream.  

Meanwhile, in the straits, the Cats and Tri’s were having a field day with Team Golden Oldies, a 38 foot Crowther Catamaran, taking line honors for the first stage.  The Catamaran’s twin rowing

stations bolted to the hulls saw little use on this windy day.

Rowing stations bolted on to Team 'Golden Oldies' Stern

The 2nd start from Victoria will be at high noon on Sunday, June 6th. 

It’s a long way to Ketchikan and the race is likely to last 7 to 10 days.  There may be days when there is little wind and the rowers and paddlers gain on the fast Tri’s and Cats.

We’ll update the progress a few times each week, so check back!

The Race tracker as the fleet spreads out across the Straits