Insight & Experience Sailing The Race To Alaska (R2AK)
Our guests Katy Stewart, Jeff Oakleaf, and Jake Beattie have lots of sailing experience, but nothing is quite like sailing in the Race to Alaska! It's a tough and quirky race with just one rule -- you cannot have an engine aboard your vessel. It's nicknamed the America's Cup For Dirt Bags. Listen to this for some great insight into the race itself but also the seamanship required to just complete this one-of-a-kind race.
What a fun episode about R2AK and all the ins and outs of racing, sailing, living, pooping, etc...
Stage 1 Race start: June 13, 2022, Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race start: June 16, 2022, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Tax Day baby! April 15th
Stage 1 Race start: June 13, 2022, Port Townsend, Washington
Stage 2 Race start: June 16, 2022, Victoria, BC
Application deadline: Tax Day baby! April 15th
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 is 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.
This isn’t for everyone
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 earth.
Our Guests:
Katy Stewart has completed the race 4 times. This time she's competing solo.
Jeff Oakleaf is a newbie to the race, sailing on Rough Duck with a crew of 4.
Jake Beattie is the co-founder of the R2AK.
Sponsored By:
For over 160 years, Edson Marine has been helping sailors with their sailboat steering systems and making sure they are safe for their adventures on the water. From maintenance and replacement parts for your sailboats steering system and pedestal to premium boating accessories, find what you need to get your sailboat in shipshape. Not every day is full of sun and a light breeze; Edson has your back when the weather turns. Their passion for quality will bring you home safely. For more information on Edson Marine and their products, visit www.edsonmarine.com.
Music By:
Tim Eriksen is acclaimed for transforming American tradition with his startling interpretations of old ballads, love songs, shape-note gospel and dance tunes from New England and Southern Appalachia. He combines hair-raising vocals with inventive accompaniment on banjo, fiddle, guitar and bajo sexto - a twelve string Mexican acoustic bass - creating a distinctive hardcore Americana sound that ranges from the bare bones of solo unaccompanied singing on Soul of the January Hills through the stripped-down voice and bajo sexto Christmas album Star in the East to the lush, multi-layered arrangements on Josh Billings Voyage, an album of northern roots American music from the imaginary village of Pumpkintown.
