VICTORIA, B.C. — After a night tucked in on the Port Townsend side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to wait for more favorable weather and tidal conditions, several human- and sail-powered Race to Alaska competitors braved whitecaps Tuesday and made their way toward Victoria Harbor in the Proving Ground stage.
Race Boss Daniel Evans summed up the first day of racing, saying there was a “stout but not unforgiving breeze, typical pandemonium when a strong tide is opposing a strong wind.”
Thirty-seven vessels fought against the pandemonium and finished the race on Tuesday before the 5 p.m. deadline. They included Outrigger Team Holopuni, monohull Team Wee Free Men, trimaran Team Perseverance, monohull Team Solveig, monohull Team You Either Do Stuff, Trimaran Alphawolf and rowboat Team Funky Dory.
Vessels that did not complete the proving ground races were Old Fart in a Windstorm, Smokin’ Haute Rower Buoys, Ghost the Coast, Arm & Leg, Oaracle, Madam Mollusk, Extremely Insain, Gorgonian Girl, Overwork, LaqVelo and Ace.
Teams SUP Big Lamposki and Melges 32 Texada withdrew from the race before it began from Port Townsend at 5 a.m. Monday, leaving 47 to begin the trek.
“Monday’s start weather mostly affected the smaller boats,”said Anika Colvin, communications director for Race to Alaska (R2AK). “Currents and tide were against the human-powered boats, and they all weren’t able to make it.”
Evans and the Northwest Maritime Center’s executive director, Jake Beattie, are in Victoria with the teams. There was a scheduled skipper’s meeting and racer party Tuesday night.
“This meeting is when Daniel puts the fear of God into them,” Colvin said. “The next stretch is dangerous so they have to be smart about how they race.”
Colvin said Evans plans to review the racers’ stage one “good judgment and right decisions” and how to use that knowledge for the remainder of the race to Ketchikan.
Today the general public is invited to the docks to visit the boats and talk with teams. Local radio stations will catch the racers for soundbites while video crews and photographers take shots of the vessels.
“It’s a community, it’s exciting, and I love the energy of Victoria,” Colvin said. “Wednesday is the moment to take a breath and do the shakedown.
“The first part of the race was not just doing the proving ground, it was time to make adjustments. Now this is the time make alterations and repairs, pick up provisions and materials like boat parts and supplies.”
On Thursday at noon, 34 teams will join in a LeMans start in the Inner Harbor, running to their vessels before getting underway.
“All will have to test their alternative skills because they can’t use sails, and, of course, they don’t have motors,” Coleman said. “So paddling or peddling is the only way out.”
From an organizer’s standpoint, Coleman said the race has gone smoothly.
“Minor things go wrong all the time, but we have an amazing team of staff and unbelievable volunteers,” she said. “What makes this happen are the fans and the love for what we all do.”
Coleman said the sea is the most powerful teacher anyone can know.
“The last five days summed up those words,” she said. “The classic mariners, the human, non-motorized Seventy48, the ruckus, R2AK’s start in Port Townsend. All of this reflects the community, and our mission is making an impact.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
