Race to Alaska

In this last episode of team interviews of the 2026 season, meet two teams that bring a lot of love-energy to the table - much more than is required when grinding to Alaska.

A boat bought twice. A trimaran modified endlessly. A Wiley 25 resurrected for ALS awareness.

This week, Team Oaracle continues transforming optimism into forward motion, Team Hell ’n’ Ready prepares to drag a heavy Columbia 10.7 north using the power of cheesecake, and Team Pas Si Vite arrives armed with avalanche training, offshore safety protocols, and the rare ability to notice as determination becomes stupidity. This week, your dose of R2AK is brought to you by TimeZero—check out the TZ iBoat app—way better than other “Boating” apps out there.

Two teams with the strength of shared family recipe, and one who bleeds epoxy.

Blast this episode over your neighbor’s fence as you learn about shrinking tall ship know how into 20 feet of boat, how many gummies can cram in a kayak hatch, and how to prepare for R2AK utilizing the doldrumy South Puget Sound.

How different can two soloists be? Listen up. And temper that with a hot bunking extravaganza at four boat-feet per-person.

After a week hiatus the R2AK Pod is back with tales of revenge and some dudes trying to be cooler than their kids.

First place, last place and very much everything in between. Check out the many versions of R2AK, all in one episode.

A rebuilt boat that once tried to unzip itself, a team powered by an automatic “yes,” and a couple trading fair-weather sailing for something far less forgiving.

It’s a dive into the specific gravity of bad decisions, covering everything from 15-foot oars and 3D-printed pedal hubs to the tactical abandonment of dental hygiene in the name of weight savings.

This week we check in with two returning soloists still chasing their first finish in Ketchikan, a multihull team and 2024’s recipients of the “Under 20 Award” who decided this year’s lineup would include Dad, and a rowing crew arriving with fresh confidence after landing on the SEVENTY48 podium.

A solo racer returns for a third shot at outrunning the Grim Sweeper, a four-person crew comes back looking for payback after the currents wrecked their last run, and a brand-new team joins the race from the doorstep of one of its nastiest features: Seymour Narrows.

A returning pair of brothers bring their dad and some unresolved history, a carbon weapon shows up with a crew that knows just how fast is too fast, and a team named after a classic rock song leaves the motor behind and leans all the way into suffering.

Three teams, three strategies: iterative mistakes, spreadsheeted muffins with contraband wine, and one soloist moisturizing for battle with his own brain.

A couple of hard hitting deeply salt-seasoned R2AK racers grill the new chum, and the Race Boss gets curious about hot dish.

Commune with nature, learn new skills, eat much peanut butter. All the way to Alaska.

De-wax your earbuds and tune in as R2AK vets grill an aspiring Disney hero and two sailing duos on why they’re signing up, what they think is about to happen, and how wrong they might be.

A Melges, a Corsair, and a Rowcruiser walk into a bar.

Get to know Team Fly Girls and Team Apple Bottom Boy - ne'er were there two more dissimilar teams on one podcast.

2024 Women's R2AK Racer panel recorded at The Ruckus, June 8. Stina Booth, Janice Mason, Jo Barley, Lillian Kuehl, and Katy Stewart.

Join as the Race Boss, past racer Nikki, and Joey Mustache say words about the upcoming race, some of which are true.

This final episode of the 2024 pre-season heralds the return of Team Malolo - spurned by the logs of 2022 and looking for vengeance, as well as newcomer Mr. X - R2AKing in one of the toughest ways possible.

Team Brio rises from the ashes of Douglas's non-starter TRON-inspired Team Skywalker from 2022, and we check in with the sponsors of the 2024 Oaracle Blister Prize: Team Oaracle.

Here near the bottom of the 2024 R2AK teams barrel, we found three more gems and chatted them up.

And the hits keep on coming. Listen up this week as we quiz three more teams on prop choice, sleeping in coffins, and things that could derail the whole endeavor.

Boat lovers/addicts, a solo sailor with a lot of wet miles ahead of her, and a team manifested from an online sailing/dating scheme - all inside this week's tidy podcast package.

Settle in for the long haul folks, as the R2AK podcast heads into a series of three-interview episodes. In this week's chats, meet a trio of teams that each will require a blister-care technician.

There are perhaps no two different boats than those chosen for glory by this weeks' teams. Bask in the variety of R2AK in this week's episode.

This week, fill up your sound holes with the tale of Team Rock the Boat, and take note as the Race Boss gives some tips on how to follow the upcoming race.

This week, we'll introduce you to a trio of sailors, two of whom will meet face to face for the first time just days before the race start and an R2AK volunteer superstar making a solo bid aboard his liveaboard Contessa 26.

Two more teams for the your consumption this week - from Seattle it's Team Natural Disaster, here being quizzed by the one and only Nikki Henderson, and from San Francisco we have Team Hullabaloo, lightly grilled by Race Boss Jesse.

This week's episode starts with an extremely awesome update about R2AK's future from the Race Boss, and is followed by interviews with two extremely awesome teams. Go to www.nwmaritime.org/wa360-race

Two teams, both alike in reckless grace, On vast seas where we our race cast, Guardian Sailing and Wicked Wily Wildcat, fast, Through trials where bold choices embrace. If you want actual information and not nonsense words, hit play.

In this week's episode, revel in the clever team names and take a close look at two approaches to R2AK - father/daughter/guy-named-rob and roommate/roommate/roommate/friend/semi-stranger.

How are these two teams even in the same race? Oh right - it's R2AK. Get to know the soloist of Team SKOFTIG as they chat with Jake and the quad-ists Team Juvenile Delinquents who caught up with the Race Boss.

It's a big year for R2AK solo adventure artists. Meet Dan of Team Hornblower and Bruce of Team Bowen Arrow, and try to understand just what it is they're running away from.

R2AK creator and one-man hive-mind Jake Beattie joins the Race Boss this week. Meet Greg of Team Kuaka, the first OC-1 to attempt the full race, and Kayleen and Sylvia - who seem to make more reasonable choices - racing as Team Orca.

The week of dos jefes. Listen in as Race Boss Emeritus Daniel Evans chats with Hobie-hopefuls Tips Up and Race Boss Actual meets Sail Like a Mother.

R2AK is back for 2024, and with it a new batch of hopefuls. Get to know Team Narrows Minded as they chat with R2AK 2-time winner Nikki Henderson, followed up by a chat between 0-time R2AK winner Race Boss Jesse and Team Spirit of Nevetz.

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