Race to Alaska

This is the final episode chronicling the 2019 Race to Alaska. In the same way you use the leftover turkey carcass after Thanksgiving to make soup, we’re making R2AK stew out of our favorite leftover bits from the 2019 experience. If you’ve listened to the previous 13 episodes, you have tasted all of the dishes: the eccentric personalities, interesting boats, harrowing challenges, inspirational speeches, questionable jokes, thoughtful participants, and shared suffering that make this race irresistible for a certain type of person. This final product will leave you with a delicious layered casserole of all of them. R2AK Teams and personalities featured in this episode: Pitoraq, Perseverance, Ripple, Shut Up and Drive, Pear Shaped, Angry Beavers, Three Legged Cat, R2Ache, Jake Beattie, Holopuni, Karl Kruger, Spencer Weber, Barbarossa, Dan Evans, WIP, Ziska, High Seas Drifters, Razzle Dazzle The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: The Unexpected Brass Band, Nordgroove from Fugue, Uncleboris from Fugue

The dual nature of the Race to Alaska is that it is both a race and a grand epic journey - a hero’s saga, and a pilgrimage of sorts for some. Every hero’s journey involves the overcoming of hardship and adventure along the way. In this two part episode we highlight the struggles that teams overcame in the 2019 race on the way to Ketchikan, and the personal impact that their experiences are already having on their lives. R2AK Teams and personalities featured in this episode: Team Holopuni, Team Funky Dory, Jake Beattie The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: The Unexpected Brass Band, Ilya Marfin from Fugue, Ilya Truhanov from Fugue

The dual nature of the Race to Alaska is that it is both a race and a grand epic journey - a hero’s saga, and a pilgrimage of sorts for some. Every hero’s journey involves the overcoming of hardship and adventure along the way. In this two part episode we highlight the struggles that teams overcame in the 2019 race on the way to Ketchikan, and the personal impact that their experiences are already having on their lives. R2AK Teams and personalities featured in this episode: Team MBR, Team Razzle Dazzle, Team R2Ache, Jake Beattie The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: The Unexpected Brass Band, Ilya Marfin from Fugue

If you want to spectate the R2AK, Port Townsend or Victoria are likely the easiest places to do it for most. But Ketchikan - the finish line - is the best. Why? It’s where the story ends and where racers achieve their glory, get that first warm meal in weeks, lets out their anxiety and can finally get away from that annoying teammate that chews with their mouth open. In this episode, we introduce you to what the scene is like around the finish line. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Trickster, Sail Like A Girl, Karl Kruger, Spencer Weber, Givin the Horns, MBR The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: The Unexpected Brass Band, Ilya Truhanov from Fugue, Anchors and Seagulls from Fugue

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the R2AK is a race between a couple of fast boats shooting for the $10,000 prize, a few dirtbags who stole their dad’s boat Ferris Bueller-style, and a weirdo who wants to test drive his homemade submarine. You might not be far off, but there are also some amazing people who sign up in order to use the race as a platform to do good things. In this episode we highlight whose in it to support causes. R2AK Teams and personalities featured in this episode: Team Funky Dory, Team Oracle, Team Shut up and Drive, Team Sail Like a Girl, Daniel Evans, Karl Kruger The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: The Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet Anthem, Survivor

All anyone talks about around here are their boats, so we’ll cave and talk about them too. This episode highlights one of the most interesting parts of the Race to Alaska - the ridiculous variety of watercraft that people bring to this race - from custom racers to Hawaiian outrigger canoes, to 19th century wooden boats. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Teams Pear Shaped, Angry Beaver, Solveig, WIP, Perseverance, Ziska Sail Like a Luddite, Holopuni, Funky Dory, Hobie-1 Kenobie, Oaracle Boats Featured: Chris Cochrane 10.6M Custom, Schock 40, Modern Norwegian Faering, San Juan 30, Sailing Angus Row Cruiser, Lancashire Nobby, Hawaiian Outrigger Sailing Canoe, Swampscott Dory, Hobie Adventure Island, Seaward Passat G3 Tandem The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet National Anthem, Music by Junkyard Storytellaz from Fugue

A rare peek behind the curtains to share a bit of the experience of what it’s like for the people involved with this event who are not racing. You’ll hear from everyone from the Race Boss, to the media team, to interns, volunteers, and even an R2AK superfan, for a full introduction to this adventure. R2AK personalities featured in this episode: Daniel Evans, Zach Carver, Erica Mellon, Elle Obrien, Carl Berger, RayLynn Maxwell The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music:Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet National Anthem, Spaceinvader from Fugue

At this point we’ve learned the winners of the actual race, but even more importantly who will win the “keeping it cool” award and which team is “most in need of a stiff drink?” In this episode we highlight the teams vying for the real awards--the sidebets including the highly coveted dirtbag award. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Razzle Dazzle, Hobie 1 Kenobie, Barbarossa, Funky Dory, Race Boss Daniel Evans The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet National Anthem, Weary Eyes from Fugue

The winning teams are in, second place has their steak knives, and the parties have started in Ketchikan for some of us. Much of the field is still out there suffering, but this is a freaking long race, and we’ve been out here for almost two weeks. It’s time for a story about how this race has unfolded to this point. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Funky Dory, Givin’ the Horns, Shut Up and Drive, Daniel Evans R2AK Race Boss, Team WIP, Team McGuffin Brothers. Additionally featured: Captain Peter Geerlofs of Seaducktress and Daniel Evans R2AK Race Boss. The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet National Anthem

In this episode we speak with this year’s racers and race veterans about the unique challenges posed by the Race to Alaska - from figuring out how to keep warm and dry on a tiny boat in bad weather, to dealing with the whims of weather and tide, to putting up with the crap that race directors pull to make racer lives harder. R2AK Teams and personalities featured in this episode: Spencer Weber, Karl Kruger, Zach Carver, Team MBR, Team R2 Ache, Team Narwhal The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: Unexpected Brass Band, Soviet National Anthem

Why? The R2AK Daily Fix by Boldly Went 6/10/2019 This is the third episode of The R2AK Daily Fix 2019! This episode offers some insight into why on earth these racers are here. What drove them to ditch everyday comforts for the lure of choppy cold waters? You’ll hear interviews with racers about the causes they are championing and the personal journeys they are embarking upon. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Sail Like a Girl, Perseverance, You Either do Stuff or you Don’t, Three Legged Cat, Ziska Sail like a Luddite, Razzle Dazzle The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html Music: Dave Harris 1 Man Band

This is the second episode of The R2AK Daily Fix 2019! Hear from some more teams who have braved the fierce winds to make it to Victoria and encountered some mishaps along the way and about the incredible race camaraderie and community both between teammates and other teams. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Perseverance, Funky Dory, Angry Beaver The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates/ For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html

This is the first episode of The R2AK Daily Fix 2019! The R2AK Daily Fix is a podcast following the 750 mile Race to Alaska created and produced by Boldly Went Media. Hear interviews with racers, behind the scenes news, and the types of personal experiences that you won’t be able to access any other way. Grab a bucket, because we’re getting you so close to the experience that you might feel a little bit seasick. In this episode we provide an update from the R2AK Proving Grounds across The Strait of Juan de Fuca from Port Townsend, to Victoria BC. R2AK Teams featured in this episode: Team Pear Shaped, Team Hobie-1- Kenobie, Team Angry Beaver Music: Unexpected Brass Band, Uncle Funk & The Dope 6 Access all the R2AK Daily Updates, FAQs, and Videos at https://r2ak.com/2019-daily-updates For additional coverage of R2AK by Boldly Went or to link to their weekly podcast featuring the brief and true adventure stories by outdoorists of all kinds visit https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/r2ak.html

We are Achaians coming from Troy, beaten off our true course by winds from every direction across the great gulf of the open sea, making for home, by the wrong way, on the wrong courses. So we have come. - Odysseus Team Ravenous has achieved the dubious record of most miles to Ketchikan. Some will say it is a 750 mile race, but not them. For them the road is much longer and finds it's way to the distant shore of Haida Gwaii with a blown out spinnaker and a boat taking on water as they eat the last of their food. That's when they decide to both sleep while underway in the great Dixon Entrance. I talk to them as to why. Enjoy

Race Boss was able to grab a quick chair with teams Oaracle and Trak Kayaks. Two of our human powered back of the pack teams. Turns out, they like it back there. And here’s why.

One team left. Team Ravenous, the 20-foot Hobie cat, is trying to get across Dixon Entrance—and they have been trying all night. They are the only team in the four years of racing to sail to Haida Gwaii. And they did it in a 20-foot cabinless beach cat. We can’t answer why they chose that route, because that is usually considered a very bad idea when you're trying to race to Alaska. It’s not even on the way. Keep your eye on the tracker. Team Kairos: An Angus RowCruiser with Joe aboard rolled into town yesterday at 1545 to take 20th place in this year's R2AK. It’s a second attempt for Joe, who had to withdraw down in Nanaimo due to gear failure in 2017. He said he had to come back. Oh… and let’s talk about Team Dock Rat a little. Enjoy.

It's a talk with Josh Collins of Team Torrent, a man trying to finish the Race to Alaska on a stand up paddle board. He doesn't finish the race, but it is not from lack of trying. It's a modern day epic tale, one paddle stroke at a time.

Episode 5 of 2018. It's an interview with Team Lost Boys. A father daughter team who dragged a willing third along. And...don't eat the vegetable bowl.

Team Lost Boys came in yesterday and we are looking forward with talking to them next. This is the Racer Round up part duex. Same eleven team. And they are talking about propulsion choices and those really high and low points that come with racing to Alaska. Enjoy.

Episode 4. Racer Round up Part 1. Waiting for Fusion It’s a roundtable featuring 11 teams that span all four years of the race. They pull up a chair and search for answers to questions often unanswerable, or at least arguable. It’s a geek session, but it’s from the horse’s mouth. Teams include: North2Alaska - 2017, Ptarmigan - 2018, Ketchikan - 2016, Can’t Anchor Us - 2015/16, Sail like a Girl - 2018, Fashionably Late - 2018, Global 2016/17/18, Heart of Gold 2017/18, Superfriend 2015/16/18, Liteboat - 2016/17/18 and Swan Song 2018.

It's the third cast of the 2018 race and Team Global Captain is already thinking about doing it again (don't believe her believe us). And micro legend Russell Brown, master of all things multihull talks with Daniel. Russel wins every time, because being first isn't winning to him. And who said bloodlust?

Interview with Race to Alaska's Team Blue Flash. The youngest team to ever complete the 750 mile engineless boat race between Port Townsend, Washington and Ketchikan, Alaska.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. Talking with racer Tim Penhallow and Ryan "The Wedge" Wedgewick. Well, his mom.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. Chatting with Teams Freya and Sistership. And Team Sistership recounts some epic moments is their racing moments.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. It's a hang out at the Ketchikan Yacht Club and a chat with Team Adventourists. They're from Australia!

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. An interview with the youngest Captain to ever race and the crew of Team North to Alaska.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. 6 teams in so let's look at that finish line.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. Today a look behind the scenes of the media team and a interview with Team KELP.

2017 Race to Alaska daily update. Jake and I review the field of racers in the wilds of the remote coastline.

2017 Race to Alaska Daily Fix. First boats in, so we have an awards ceremony.

2017 Daily Race Update. In this one we call racers mamas to see what they think about all this racer business.

2017 Daily Update of Race to Alaska. This one talks with teams: Grace B, Bad Kitty, KELP, Rush Aweigh and Rod Price

2017 Daily update of the Race to Alaska number 2!

2017 Race to Alaska discussing the Seymour Narrows