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To nobody’s surprise, the R2AK beat will go on…..
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – Organizers have given a second Race to Alaska the green light. “After numerous debriefs with safety personnel, race staff, event sponsors and others, we have decided to move forward with a second Race to Alaska. Besides, there may have been a full-blown revolt if we hadn’t run this again,” said Jake Beattie, Executive Director of the Northwest Maritime Center, R2AK’s host organization. The race will start on June 23 in Port Townsend, WA; all other details regarding the second iteration of the race will be released on September 11 at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. “There will be changes and some fun additions to the 2016 challenge,” says Race Boss Daniel Evans, on board for his second year as Race Director.
The first-ever R2AK Blazer Party will also be held at the Wooden Boat Festival; this event is free to racers and $25 for all others. Attendees can come rub elbows with R2AK teams, see the second place steak knives, and be the first to hear the details of next year’s event. In mock formality, there will be a rack of thrift store R2AK-emblazoned jackets for the racers to wear (racers who completed both stages of the race get one with two arms).
Latest coverage and Northwest Yachting commentary on the R2AK race is here.