A 750-mile race to Alaska without an engine
On June 5, 2023, 39 crews will take the start of the Race to Alaska, a 750-mile, two-stage race between the USA and Alaska. This year's crews will include both yachtsmen and professional sailors, including a former Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. From kayaks to speedboats to motorless barges, the race will feature all kinds of craft.
A strategic course
Since the removal in 2022 of the Seymour Narrows waypoint between Victoria and Ketchikan, participants will have the choice of sailing up the interior of Vancouver Island or out of the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the Pacific Ocean, giving rise to a number of strategies.
A unique race
The Race to Alaska is an extraordinary race, which takes place along the Pacific Northwest coast from Port Townsend in Washington State to Alaska. It's a 750-mile solo or crewed race, with no engines allowed.
What makes this race unique is that there are no restrictions on the type of craft used. Competitors can take part on sailboats, pirogues, straw boats, kayaks or any other non-motorized craft. This creates incredible diversity among participants, and gives rise to very different race strategies. The R2AK was born in commemoration of the first inland voyages to Alaska. First in native canoes, then in sailing boats, the route was then taken by steamboats in search of gold. The Race to Alaska is not only the longest sailing race in North America, but also the one with the highest prize money. In fact, the winner takes home $10,000!
An unconventional start to test your skills
What also sets this race apart is its unconventional start called the "Proving Ground". Competitors must first sail a 40-mile course from Port Townsend to Victoria, British Columbia. This course allows participants to test their boats and skills before setting off on the main race. Once in Victoria, competitors prepare for the real race to Alaska. They face challenges such as the strong currents of Johnstone Strait, the shifting winds of Queen Charlotte Sound and the often unpredictable weather conditions of the Gulf of Alaska. Apart from a waypoint at Bella Bella, there is no official course.
A race with a taste of adventure
The Race to Alaska is a true adventure that tests the physical and mental limits of the participants. It attracts seasoned sailors as well as amateurs with a passion for extreme challenges. The race offers a unique opportunity to discover the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest coastline and to enjoy an unforgettable experience, but it also demands self-sacrifice. In 2022, 41 teams took to the starting line, and only 19 finished.
