Race to Alaska a 'bucket-list item' for skipper of navy team Six navy members from CFB Esquimalt are in Port Townsend, Washington, for the first leg of the race, dubbed the Proving Ground Jeff Bell Jun 8, 2024 12:32 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Previous Next 1 / 1 Max Lucas, left, and the rest of the crew at CFB Esquimalt work on the 27-foot Montague whaler they’re using for the Race to Alaska. The team’s chosen mode of transportation is a type of boat that’s been around for over 100 years and was carried on frigates and steamers into the 1990s. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Advertisement Expand Listen to this article 00:04:14 Six navy members from CFB Esquimalt are in Port Townsend, Washington, ready to row and sail 1,200 kilometres just for the fun of it.
The team set out for Port Townsend early Friday for the “Proving Ground” portion of the Race to Alaska, after spending the day before packing up and stowing the sails. Teams in the Race to Alaska must use vessels with no motors, with the 64-kilometre opening leg between Port Townsend and Victoria beginning early Sunday. Racers who finish in fewer than 36 hours without having to be rescued can then continue Wednesday at noon with the second and final leg from Victoria to Ketchikan, known as To the Bitter End.
Capt. Ellery Down, skipper of the navy team, dubbed Victory Oar Duff, said he has been following the race since it started eight years ago a.
