Race tightening to Alaska

Published on June 13th, 2017

(June 13; Day 3) – The leaders of the Race to Alaska are still the Pure & Wild/Freeburd team of Tripp Burd, Chris Burd, Trevor Burd sailing Mama Tried, a 27-foot Pete Melvin designed trimaran. However, their advantage is shrinking on the 710-mile leg from Victoria, BC to Ketchikan, AK. With about a third of the leg remaining (as of 1703 PDT), the Team Bad Kitty comprised of Bob Davis, Ron Tomas, Paul Doran, Paul Thompson are gaining pace on their 34-foot catamaran.

Event details – Entry list – Tracker – Updates – Facebook

The race has two stages:

Stage 1: The Proving Ground – June 8
Port Townsend to Victoria BC (40 miles): R2AK starts with an initial race across open water, two sets of shipping lanes, and an international border. The first stage is designed as a qualifier for the full race and as a stand-alone 40 mile sprint for people who just want to put their toe in.

If you want to be a part of R2AK but don’t have the time or inclination for the full race- join for a full day of all out racing across some of the biggest water in the course. Racers continuing on will clear Canadian customs in Victoria.

Stage one winners get to bask in the glory for a full day and a half.

Stage 2: To the Bitter End – June 11
Victoria, BC to Ketchikan, AK (710 miles): Racers start in Victoria and continue until they reach Ketchikan, accept their mortality and quit, or lag too far behind and are tapped out by the sweep boat. Other than two waypoints along the way, Seymour Narrows and Bella Bella, there is no official course. To quote the bard, You can go your own way.