By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES — One of North America’s craziest boat races began today in Port Townsend, and the Coast Guard and race organizers reported that at least 4 people had to be rescued after capsizing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on their way to Victoria, BC.
The Coast Guard tweeted they all showed signs of hypothermia and were transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles for treatment.
The groups were participating in the first stage of the R2AK race, which goes from Port Townsend to Victoria, then proceeds through the inside passage to Ketchikan, Alaska.
The race’s website describes it as “like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear.” Any boat without an engine can enter.
The winner gets $10,000 cash nailed to a block of wood. Second place is a set of steak knives.
Unfortunately, the Coast Guard announced a Gale Warning and a small craft advisory for the waters this morning, so those who chose to make a run for Victoria at the 5:00am starting gun risked capsizing or even drowning. Many chose to wait it out.
The second stage of the race begins Thursday.
(Coast Guard photo of capsized trimaran)