PORT TOWNSEND — Beginning Friday, boats of all kinds will gather in Port Townsend for four days of maritime events taking place that afternoon through Monday morning.
The Race to Alaska (R2AK), Seventy48, The Classic Mariner’s Regatta and the Ruckus — all organized by the Northwest Maritime Center — will give boat lovers and competitors a chance to feel the hulls, chat with entrants and let their hair down before and after the competitions.
Seventy48
In its second year, Seventy48 is a human-powered event that will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in Tacoma and end as soon as the first boat makes it to Port Townsend, 70 miles away. The expected time is 7 a.m. Saturday. The race begins at the Foss Waterway near the Museum of Glass.
Race Boss Daniel Evans said 198 participants in 117 teams are entered in the race of boats without motors, wind power or support.
“Many competitors have experience all over the board — the Olympics, circuit competitors, moms and dads who just want to get away from the kids for a couple days, to home-builts. It’s everything,” Evans said.
This year, the competition has four classes — Standing Up, By Yourself, Facing Forward and Facing Backward — with three awards and a grand prize to be presented.
Evans said there are dozens of returning racers, many on remixed teams. Some are going solo.
Competitors who have a shot at the title include the team of Tyler Peterson and Greg Spooner, who finished third last year, Evans said. Also on the watch list is Team Kikaha O ke Kai-Tamatoa, a Matahina outrigger canoe with six paddlers from Seattle.
Evans said Karl Kruger, a R2AK two-year veteran and the first stand-up paddleboarder (SUP) to finish that race, will be a contender as well.
R2AK supporters begin to gather at Port Townsend City Dock in anticipation of the start of the 2018 R2AK. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
Race to Alaska
Evans said even though the popular race is in its fifth year, it’s still fresh with a record number of entrants, some new, some returning, and one team member who has completed the past four races.
The race will begin at 5 a.m. Monday with a grand sendoff by hundreds of spectators who gather at the Northwest Maritime Center, the beach and Point Hudson. The Unexpected Brass Band might unexpectedly play, according to Evans.
Aaran Stark, Jefferson Healthcare hospital food service director and chef, will pass out oatmeal to racers while on his stand up paddleboard (SUP). Those seeking coffee can find it at Velocity at the maritime center at 4 a.m.
“There are 53 teams in total; 46 teams will go to Alaska,” Evans said. “It’s a wide-open race this year.”
The race is in two stages. The first stage is to Victoria, a distance of 40 miles called “the proving ground.” It is both a qualifier for the main race and a standalone sprint for those who prefer the shorter race.
The second stage will begin at noon June 6 in Victoria. This stage — “to the bitter end” — is a distance of 710 miles from Victoria to Ketchikan, Alaska.
The first-place prize is $10,000. Second place wins a set of steak knives in a monogrammed box.
Last year’s winning crew — First Federal’s Team Sail Like A Girl, a Melges 32 with a crew of six — will try to retain the title.
The crew won the race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan in 6 days, 13 hours and 17 minutes.
“They aren’t scared to come back and are looking forward to the competition,” Evans said. “They are seeking out ways to inspire women.”
Evans noted a couple of “super hot teams” to watch on the Race Tracker that will be operational throughout the event at r2ak.com.
Team Pear Shaped Racing has an impressive racing resume; it’s a custom 26-foot trimaran that’s fast and is an early contender for the win, he said.
Team Educated Guess is a custom mono-hull 24 Melges with a team of tug boat drivers that have been in the Inside Passage 150 times.
Team Angry Beaver, a single hull Schock 40, was retrofitted with two rudders on both ends of the boat, and has a hull that moves from side to side. Evans said it’s light and fast.
He said unusual entries include three people in a 17-foot rowboat and two SUPs aiming to make it all the way to Ketchikan, Alaska.
Team Oaracle is back for its fifth year, the only entry to have been racing from R2AK’s beginning. Ian Graeme is in his fifth race and partner Janice Mason is in her fourth. They met two years ago at R2AK and have been paddling together ever since. Evans said it is the longest first date ever.
Ruckus
The Ruckus street party from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday will be the convergence of Seventy48 racers completing their race and R2AK racers getting ready to take off.
“It’s an opportunity to see the boats and talk with the crews, get excited. It’s the kick-off and the celebration all in one,” said Anika Colvin, maritime center communications director.
Colvin said free real race logo tattoos, live music from Uncle Funk and the Dope 6, and food vendors are planned at Pope Marine Park. The Port Townsend Brewery, Port Townsend Vineyards and Finn River will each be at the beer garden.
Watch on the Seventy48 finish line at City Dock is planned from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
At 7 p.m. Sunday will be Seventy48 awards. The awards will be preceded from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. by a ticketed live show and podcast at the American Legion Hall, 209 Monroe St.
Mariners’ regatta
The Classic Mariners’ Regatta begins with a get-together on Friday and racing on Saturday and Sunday.
The wooden boat tradition begun in 1984 has now added yachts that have been built to a design or in the spirit of sailing yachts prior to 1967.
“This is a celebration of the vessels themselves,” Colvin said. “It’s a historical and classic boat race. These boats are lovingly restored and cherished, and many are used for their original purpose: to be raced.”
Two races are set Saturday, one at noon and another right after it. A rowing race is set for 10 .m. and the final regatta race will be at noon, with awards at 4 p.m.
“This is a cherished event,” Colvin said. “The people involved in it are the hearts and souls of the sailing community.”
For more information about R2AK, Seventy48, The Classic Mariner’s Regatta or other events, go to nwmaritime.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
