The Race to Alaska kicked off bright and early Sunday, June 9, from the Port Townsend Marina, when more than 35 sailboats embarked on their mission to reach Ketchikan, Alaska.

The race is a 750-mile journey through one of the world’s most complex waterways, the Inside Passage. Seafarers of all types will be racing to Ketchikan. This year, the race will see teams compete aboard pedal-powered catamarans, pedal boats, kayaks, row cruisers, row boats, and even stand-up paddleboards. All varieties of vessels are welcome to participate — if a motor doesn't power them.

Saturday, June 8, racers got one last opportunity to stand on the dry lands of civilization during the Race to Alaska Ruckus at the Northwest Maritime Center. Advertised as “All the spirit of Race to Alaska, 10% of the danger,” the Ruckus did not disappoint. From the docks of the Maritime Center, several hundred people from Port Townsend and beyond celebrated the upcoming race in typical seafarer fashion, with great food, belly laughs and plenty of libations.

Attending the Ruckus was John Lewis, who splits time between New Orleans and Whidbey Island. He said he has been following the race closely from Louisiana. Lewis owns an 11-foot Chesapeake light craft PassageMaker and daydreams about someday participating in the R2AK.

“I fantasize about the idea,” he said, but more likely? “My little boat, strapping it on and release, heading for Victoria.”

The R2AK was the first of its kind when it debuted in 2015 and remains the longest human and wind-powered race in North America. The race is as rugged as it gets. There are no support, reinforcement or supply drops. From the moment they set sail, seafarers are at the mercy of Poseidon's will. 

The race is split up into two sections. The first section is titled “The Proving Ground.” This section is a 40-mile sprint from Port Townsend to Victoria, BC. The sprint serves as a trial run for racers, to assess their craft on open water before taking on the remaining, and much more demanding 710 miles through the Inner Passage. If racers cannot make it to Victoria without assistance, their race will be over.

Racers who make it to Victoria will have two days to tweak or repair their boats there before they set sail for the duration of the race. The seafarers continue their journey Wednesday, June 12.

To see the progress of the racers, check the live tracker at https://cf.yb.tl/r2ak2024