Two hours into the first leg (the proving grounds), Rod Price in his Superior Expedition canoe is right up there with the lead pack.
Zoom, zoom canoe!
Been talking about it at the trailer sailor website too. the fastest ones made it before the winds picked up and Seems one boat had to be towed and another capsized.
@castoff
The first arrivals were human powered (paddles/oars), which I think is delightful. But then the weather moved in with gusts to 40kts, 6-8 foot waves, terrifying conditions, and things breaking on boats which didn’t get to shelter in time. The kayaks made the wise decision to delay starting until today. Canoeist Rod Price beat the weather and got in early.
One of the things I love about this race, aside from it’s humor and fierce independence, is the brilliance of the writing:
https://r2ak.com/race-daily-updates/
The writing is great. The small sailboats have top speeds of 5 to 6 knots if they have displacement hulls. This is determined by the length of the waterline. So rowers/paddlers have a definite advantage if the winds are light. If I was in my Potter 19 I would have waited, and not attempted to cross. The first photos taken of my P19 on the water were when fellow pnetter Yatipope was paddling along beside it in a solo canoe on a very light wind day. He enjoyed paddling around us when the wind was barely moving us. We turned down his offer of a tow! :s
Genoa and main sails wing on wing
beached for a swim and some lunch
He wouldn’t have kept up on this moderate wind day
People who set out to cross the Straits of Juan de Fuca in some of these woefully unseaworthy craft are either starved for adventure, or lack good sense–maybe both. I’ve sailed across there when the swells were higher than a two story house and the chop on top of the swells was eight feet high and breaking.
I’m a little surprised that no one seemed to choose the route up along Whidbey Island. At least if it got rough they wouldn’t be too far from land and they could duck in behind Flat Top. Oh well.
@Rookie said:
One of the things I love about this race, aside from it’s humor and fierce independence, is the brilliance of the writing:
https://r2ak.com/race-daily-updates/
GREAT writing! Brings to life the story of Day One!
I notice there is and SUP in the race. It’s called Fueled on Stoke Part Deux. It looks like the catamarans are out in front.
Three SUPs completed the first leg to Victoria and are headed for Ketchikan. Heart of Gold, Fueled by Stoke and Fueled by Stoke Part Deux.
One disadvantage of traveling solo: you can’t nap while another crew member keeps your vessel moving.
I understand that the 3 lead boats may be going through the narrows at night. I hope it is a slack tide.
https://gocampbellriver.com/campbell-river-history/#theblastingofripplerock
The most incredible racer in this event is Karl Kruger, Team Heart of Gold. Paddling a SUP.
He’s through the Johnstone Straits, well ahead of many sailboats. Latest report is that he feels good physically and mentally; his hands are still in good shape, as are his feet which are exposed to water 14 hours a day. He celebrated his 45th birthday two days ago.
I can’t remember how I celebrated my 45th birthday, but it sure wasn’t paddling 750 miles to Alaska.
Karl Kruger arrived in Ketchikan an hour ago - to a standing ovation. 750 miles on a SUP. First one to accomplish that - and ahead of a few sailboats still on the course. He carried no food; just required equipment, water, and lots of protein chews. A SUP legend, no doubt.
https://r2ak.com/2017-daily-updates/2017-stage-2-day-15-a-dance-about-architecture/
The first kayaker to complete the 750-mile R2AK course without using a sail should arrive at the finish line tonight. Paddling a 19′ Seaward Quest, kevlar. Traveling with him most of the way is Rod Price in his Superior Expedition Canoe.