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R2AK 2015 in Progress
Kevin Olney
06/04/15 #17506
Race to Alaska is underway. First leg from PT to Victoria started about 5:30 this morning and the first boats are arriving now:
Paddlers and rowers can't quite keep up with the sails. Note the double ski lingering around Dungeness Spit.
David Scherrer
06/06/15 #17509
I was initially disappointed that this was not going to be a paddling/rowing contest…and that sails were allowed. But now I'm thinking..what the heck. New designs will emerge, more efficient human powered long distance all weather craft will evolve. Perhaps the best idea I saw so far (we were there a day before the start) was using an ultralight sailing catamaran with modern pedal power systems down in each hull protected from the weather. Or how about a modified extended K4 or C-6, with outriggers and an efficient sloop rig.
…what an adventure..anyone up for next year?
Reivers Dustin
06/07/15 #17512
Was this pedal power that system called “Mirage Drive” (by Hobie)?
There's great potential there, with some limitations. Here's some footage of Mirage Drive pulling agains Greg Barton, and later on agains Oscar and another guy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0rvFdLdplA
The elephant that is not talked about is velocity. The Mirage Drive has low end pull. The best I could find on higher speed is a two seater submarine pulling 6 knots. This boat did well against prop driven human powered submarines. Again, this speaks to low end power. Lots of drag on a submarine.
But the great equalizer here would be weeds. Maybe rocks. I still like the looks of that hydrofoil tricycle thingy. Check these out:
http://www.geocities.ws/rcgilmore2000/HPBs.htm
rd
David Scherrer
06/07/15 #17517
Team Soggy Beavers are in the Lead!
D.
David Scherrer
06/07/15 #17518
Team Soggy Beavers have lost the lead…I think they may have stopped in Swartz Bay for beer. Alas…
D.
Jerome Truran
06/07/15 #17520
Yea, and 15 to 25kn northwesterlies through the night and through to at least Thurs, poor bastards
Kevin Olney
06/10/15 #17527
Update: Soggy Beavers (OC-6 w/sail) are currently in 8th place!
David Scherrer
06/11/15 #17533
OK this is remarkable…team Elsie Piddock is around 200 kilometers ahead of the second place team.
Remarkable skills and perseverance. Plus they are piloting an ultralight trimaran, designed by Ian Farrier from NZ. Years ago he was looking around Bellingham for a potential place to have his stateside manufacturing facility. He chose Cal. instead. This must have been over 20 years ago. I remember thinking these boats designs will never fly…too gimmicky. Ha!
D.
Reivers Dustin
06/11/15 #17534
Three guys in that trimaran, but they are very 'salty'. The boat is greased lightning sure, but those three guys are the real story. They have played some daring moves with that thing.
If you are on Facebook, Dale McKinnon knows those waters and has been blogging a fantastic narrative. She captures lots of local hazards and features. The currents and weather are major features. At least one sailboat has been dismasted and towed to safety. Another boat has begun de-laminating due to the constant beat-down and lost hull integrity. The OC-6 team is still in the game.
Check website R2AK.com for realtime map update from the boat's transponders. If you're on facebook get a look at Dale's excellent narrative. This is a big deal race for any N.W. boater.
rd
Jerome Truran
06/11/15 #17535
Yep, you know you're beating someone in a race when you're two Marine forecast zones ahead of 'em
David Scherrer
06/11/15 #17537
Yup… the race rules states that once the winner was declared, then the sweep motor boat from Victoria will begin heading up to Alaska…All boats they meet before reaching destination will be disqualified!
Sweep will be traveling around 5 to 6 knots, 24/7……They are going to be DQing lots of boats!
Lead team Elsie Piddock is now over 250 km over 2nd place Por Favor. Most every buddy else is jammed up around Elk bay 350 to 400 km south of the lead boat! Unbelievable.
Elsie P is less than 200km to the finish……
D.
Dale McKinnon
06/11/15 #17539
I'll put down $20 on time of time and date for Elsie Piddock's finish time. Any takers?
Jerome Truran
06/11/15 #17541
I think the rules are, the sweep boat will be dispatched when the first boat reaches the end point or on June 24th – whichever comes LAST, so the self propelled still have some time. Sailing is very, very impressive, but there's a fundamental difference between sailing and powering the boat oneself. Absolutely atrocious conditions for the self-propelled this year and no fun sailing into constant wind and chop either. Kudo's to everyone out there
David Scherrer
06/11/15 #17542
Interesting Jerome, your right…whichever comes LAST, June 24th or the first boat. Ha!
D.
Kevin Olney
06/18/15 #17576
Soggy Beavers arrived in Ketchikan!
