Team Two Dogs (DNS)

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Team members: Two-Dogs Ratu
Hometown: Hobart, Tasmania, AU
Race vessel: Athol Walters, Custom-Build Monohull
LOA: 31′
Human propulsion: Row
Connect: website, facebook, instagram, twitter, youtube

Two-Dogs Ratu of Team Two Dogs is part fae folk and part World’s Most Interesting Man – two preexisting conditions which exempt him from our Hypothetical Interview Mandate. So, we sat down with our on-staff Two-Dogs Ratu Fangirl over a bowl of bubble soap to talk about carbon-neutral woolenwear, will-o’-the-wisps, and why beards are hot.*

Two-Dogs first came to our attention via the dark magicks of the TikTok algorithm. The alchemical recipe for his TikTok content is approximately 40% gleeful dancing, 20% sailing, and the remaining equal parts of dolphin-frolicking, bubble-blowing and pan-flute-playing. Two-Dogs’ baseline evokes a level of open-hearted, lust for life that could make Iggy Pop blush. We’re proud to be one of his 16 followers, and we recommend you get in on the ground floor while you still can. Should Two-Dogs arrive in time for the race start, be sure to pop some hardtack in your pocket and be wary should he ask for your name.

Two-Dogs defines himself as a “Sculptor of Life” and is an official brand ambassador, or “Adventurer At Large,” for M.J. Bale – a heritage menswear brand for gentlemen. These roles seem to require a lot of time spent sailing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and occasional alpaca hugging, through the Australian countryside. If you like beautiful adventure photography, ecological factoids, and men who know how to wear a cowl-neck sweater – he has an Insta you might want to check out, too. 

Two Dogs’ is also the first participant in race history to prefunk Race To Alaska with a casual solo Pacific Ocean crossing from Australia, (which as of this writing – he has not yet begun). According to our on-staff Two Dogs Fangirl’s husband and our HR department, perhaps that’s for the best.

*At the final hour – literally last night – we received a transmission with Two-Dogs’ interview answers. Considering that being a little extra, and a lot late, seem decidedly on brand–enjoy your Bonus Content courtesy of R2AK’s official Ambassador to the Seelie Court.

What are the necessary components of a good adventure?

Other than simply entering R2AK? Being ready to embrace the unexpected every time you wake up! 

What’s a lesson you learned the hard way?

Never trust a marine toilet. 

What’s your favorite kind of bracket?

Tyromyces pulcherrimus.

What’s your claim to fame?

The first first person to sail singlehanded from Franklin, Tasmania to Port Townsend, Washington. It’s still only a claim but I’ve completed the first leg of the journey, stay tuned!

It’s drizzling, freezing cold, and you’ve missed the tide. The cabin is leaky and the stove won’t light. How do you keep the good vibes going?

Dance, then go back to sleep!

Defend your vessel. What makes it worthy?

I’ve sailed in ‘Ratu’ in the Southern Ocean in 16 meter waves, and 60 to 80 knot winds. I hope to never see another storm like that one, but it was good to know we could handle it! I rebuilt the boat before that storm, and it continues to inform my improvements. 

Blank space, baby. Write some things:

When I first heard of R2AK in 2015, it was just a few months before the start. Everything about the race felt like it had my DNA. It’s taken a little longer than I expected to be ready to sail out of the country, but it’s been on my mind every year. For me it’s simply a great reason to sail to a part of the world I’ve always wanted to visit. If I don’t get to the start by June 5, it’ll simply mean I’m early if there is a race next year! I’ve never owned an engine. Not a car, not a motorbike, certainly never a lawn mower. I like how that choice has shaped my life. It keeps me close to nature. Live every day like voyaging in the Race to Alaska.

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Welcome to Race to Alaska, Two Dogs. Whenever you do arrive in Port Townsend, we look forward to joining you for a coffee shop dance party. In the meantime, keep stealing hearts and taking names – just not ours, please.