R2AK: Team Limited Speed

As another Race to Alaska begins, we thought it would be fun to take a closer look at some of the teams employing smaller boats on the 750-mile adventure from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, AK. Small Craft Advisor is once again offering the $1,000 “Side Bet” prize to the first team to finish in a boat 20 feet or under. Turn Point Design will award that same team with a set of tactical titanium sporks. Oh the glory!

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TEAM LIMITED SPEED

1. Tell us a little about your boat and crew. Our boat, Zephyr, has made 2 attempts at R2AK already. She is an Angus Sailing RowCruiser that was built by Dan Culpiper (Team Hornblower in previous races). Sadly she hasn’t quite seen Alaskan waters yet, third times a charm!
   
   Laura and Cait met when they both joined team Full FOARce to do the 2024 Worlds Toughest Row Pacific race. They completed the 2,800 mile row from Monterey, CA to Hanalei, HI with two other women in 38 days 9 hours and 3 minutes.

2. What makes you think this crazy plan might actually work? With our combined experience, willingness to suffer, stubbornness, and a little luck, it’ll work. Along with several epoxy repair kits and copious amounts of chocolate.

   

3. What do you expect will be your biggest advantage—or biggest challenge—in the race? Biggest advantage—not afraid to suffer. Also not afraid to row a good chunk of the race if winds are light. Biggest challenge—new waters, lots of rocks, logs, and ships to run into. Things we don’t really need to worry about in the middle of the ocean.

4. Anything else you’d like readers to know? We have some donkey mascots coming with us; Don is our bow ornament and Wanda and Mr. Cool are on the sails. Why donkeys you ask? We’re either a couple of jack-asses, dumb-asses, or smart-asses. We’ll see how it goes! •SCA•