PORT TOWNSEND — This summer’s inaugural Race to Alaska was so successful that organizers have decided to do it again next year.
“After numerous debriefs with safety personnel, race staff, event sponsors and others, we have decided to move forward with a second race,” said Jake Beattie, executive director of the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, which organized the 750-mile race of boats without motors.
“Besides, there may have been a full-blown revolt if we hadn’t run this again,” he added.
The race took place between June 4 and July 4 between Port Townsend and Ketchikan, Alaska, and drew 53 entries, with 16 finishing the race.
Forty finished the first leg, a 40-mile journey to Victoria. Twenty-nine teams continued on the 710-mile journey to Alaska.
Team Elsie Piddock came in first to claim a $10,000 prize, while the second-place award, a set of steak knives, went to MOB Mentality.
There were no restrictions as to the size of the boat or the number of crew. The only rule was that it travel under its own power.
The second race is scheduled to begin June 23 from Port Townsend.
This is a later start than in 2015. Organizers hope to accommodate students who want to participate, Beattie said.
He said the biggest surprise about this year’s race was how it gained worldwide attention, especially since initial expectations were that only a handful of hardy souls would show interest.
He added that it wasn’t a slam dunk there would be a second race.
“We knew it went well, but we were wondering how we could do better,” he said.
“We want to try to make it sustainable, from both a safety standpoint and financially.”
Beattie said there were some perilous times during the race but that fortunately, there were no injuries or serious accidents.
Additional details about next year’s race will be announced at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival on Sept. 11.
“It will be pretty similar to the first one, although there will be a couple of different twists and a big challenge,” Beattie said.
Along with the announcement of the race, the maritime center will host a “Blazer Party” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 11 during the Wooden Boat Festival.
Attendees can meet Race to Alaska participants, many of whom plan to return to Port Townsend for the occasion.
The cost for the public will be $25, while race participants get in free.
For more information or to RSVP, go to www.r2ak.com.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
