PORT TOWNSEND — The second Race to Alaska from Port Townsend was scheduled to begin today, with 63 non-motorized boats lining up in time for the 6 a.m. starting gun.
Racers have until 5 p.m. Friday to finish the qualifying leg from Port Townsend to Victoria.
“I’m feeling charged and the energy is really high,” said Daniel Evans, race boss, Wednesday afternoon.
“We’ve seen a lot of preparedness from the racers, and the boats are very well put together.”
A favorable weather forecast adds to the enthusiasm, Evans said.
The race sponsored by the Northwest Maritime Center will begin in earnest at noon Sunday, when participants will start the 750-mile journey to Ketchikan, Alaska, from Victoria.
Of the 63 boats participating, 44 have committed to run the entire race.
Several potential participants backed out in the past few days “because they were having trouble getting here,” Evans said.
The first team to arrive in Ketchikan will earn a $10,000 cash prize.
The second will get a set of steak knives.
All other participants will earn “cathartic elation if you can simply complete the course,” according to the event website.
Jake Beattie, Northwest Maritime Center executive director, said sponsoring a race in 2017 has not yet been decided.
If the race occurs, details will be announced at the Wooden Boat Festival, which is set for Sept. 9-11.
For more information, go to www.r2ak.com.
