The first leg of the R2AK is called the Proving Ground, giving competitors the chance (obligation) to show they’re ready for the full Race to Alaska. This year it’s been a real test, with three capsizes yesterday, four people pulled from the water from stricken boats and one dismasting.
The Northwest Maritime Center organizers saw this coming and gave competitors extra time to complete the leg, with the strong implication that if there was a doubt about going into the teeth of the winds and waves, some might think better and wait a bit. Several did. Others were set up for offshore sailing in rough conditions and made it safely into Victoria Harbour. Dark Star (Team Pure and Wild) was first in.
Here are two “mainstream media” reports on the rescues yesterday, from Chek News Media and Peninsula News Review.
This is very much a social media race, with images and reports going online in various outlets in real time. Here’s the Instagram link:
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/r2ak/
The tracker and list of current finishers is here.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.