R2AK Tracker Nation!
It’s been a decade since R2AK’s first hold-my-beer and cross-your-fingers hoo-rah, where the rapscallion fringe launched into Alaska, history, and glorified oblivion. It was epic, again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and Covid, and Covid, and again, and again.
What did we do to celebrate our 10th anniversary?
We invited you to see other people. Keep it spicy.
Enter the WA360: Our rotating third and R2AK-ish race from Port Townsend to Port Townsend via Olympia and Point Roberts.
WA360: All of the thrills, none of the Alaska.
Don’t be scared, they’re not all strangers. WA360 made public promises to be a kinder, gentler affair; better smelling, more supportive, with better jokes and 87% less armpit farts. Then they let their guard down and accepted applications from members of the Race to Alaska Hall of Fame.
Gentlemen, start your armpit farts.
Here’s some R2AK crossover talent you can root for/heckle in WA360:
- Fisheries Supply Team Monkey Fist: If you absolutely love our contractually favorite sponsor, proven boats, and the ghost of sock monkey’s past, then you will absolutely like Team Monkey Fist. Olson 30 practicality, R2AK pedigree, test lap in SEVENTY48, and the Best. Sponsor. Ever. (For real though… And go buy something at www.fisheriessupply.com. Right now.)
- Team Accidental Mullet: Two-time R2AK champ Jean Goussev (Sail like a Girl, We Brake for Whales) and crew are at it again. While it might not be intentional, you’re going to want to get in on the front side of this one; that’s where the party’s at.
- Team Boogie Barge: Could they pedal all the way to Alaska? No. Did they almost win the first WA360 until they had to go back and teach 3rd graders? Maybe. Team Boogie Barge has a new crew and a new pedalled contraption. Calm year and they might take it all!
- Team Luff of Bread vs Team Bowl of Sloop: Are you tired of teenagers fighting online? Welcome to Gen Z battling on the water! The guts of both teams finished within hours of each other in R2AK ’24 and now they are out for revenge, redemption, and potentially another word that starts with R.
But wait, there’s more.
Teams Excellent Adventure, Bonesaw, Dogsmile Adventures, Fairly Fleabag II: Return of the Bag, Guardian Sailing, Hold Fast, Jackalope, Lost But Don’t Care, Murder Cats From Mars, Narrows Minded, Narwhal, Old Salts, and Doug mother-lovin’ Shoup with Team Perseverance—the list goes on!
Turns out, the field is thick with R2AK—exactly 87% of them if you don’t fact-check.
Our advice: get over there, get over it, and pay attention.
Enjoy the off-year hall pass, and get your WA360 on. We won’t judge.
R2AK out.