Team Makika Masala

Team members: Mike Powell, Jeff Vernon, Cedric Keneipp, Satone Haratani
Hometown: Bellingham, WA, USA
Race vessel: Corsair Farrier F25C
LOA: 26′
Human propulsion: Pedal (Prop)
Connect: facebook, instagram

The 2026 return of the Farrier 25C Makika—nee Elsie Piddock—is giving heavyweight-boxer comeback vibes. Depending on your level of cynicism, it’s either Rocky II hitting you in the feels or perhaps more akin to Tyson v. Paul. Either way, we’ll see if a legendary pedigree can still dismantle a broader, more optimized field. In 2015, this carbon fiber thoroughbred didn’t just win the inaugural race; it created the event’s tactical DNA, crossing the finish line nearly two days ahead of the competition and setting a gold standard that, while already beaten, is still fondly remembered.

Now boxing as Team Makika Masala, the boat is reclaiming its legacy with a crew that values engineering over nostalgia. They have spent months treating the vessel like a high-performance laboratory, polishing the hull to a mirror finish and installing a bespoke pedal drive. By utilizing heliocoils instead of traditional chains to prevent mechanical failure, the system allows a single operator to steer, navigate, and pedal through the calms while the rest of the team preps the spicy Indian curries.

The Champ is back in the ring.