Support the High Seas Drifters
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We are the High Seas Drifters, a group of rag-tag mountain sailors based out of Wilsall, MT. Our goal is to campaign our yellow sailboat, a 40-year old rip-roaring Olson 30 named Dark Horse, in the 2022 Race to Alaska (R2AK). R2AK is a brutal 750-mile journey from Port Townsend, WA, to Ketchikan, AK, through the legendary waters known as the inside passage.
To keep the challenge high, there are no motors allowed, no support or supply drops, and there are no handicaps. The first-place prize is $10,000, and second place is a set of steak knives. There are no other prizes.
While this is an exciting undertaking, it's equally daunting. R2AK is informally known as the "America's Cup for Dirtbags" which means the preparation, skill, and equipment demands are very high, while the flashy sponsorships and funding opportunities are dismal.
To keep the challenge high, there are no motors allowed, no support or supply drops, and there are no handicaps. The first-place prize is $10,000, and second place is a set of steak knives. There are no other prizes.
While this is an exciting undertaking, it's equally daunting. R2AK is informally known as the "America's Cup for Dirtbags" which means the preparation, skill, and equipment demands are very high, while the flashy sponsorships and funding opportunities are dismal.
We have been preparing for the race for over two years, as it was twice canceled due to Covid. Preparation has included hundreds of hours of refinishing the boat hull, driving thousands of miles to participate in "practice" races, re-rigging the boat, and more. It's been a lot of fun but a huge effort.
Last year, the organizers put on a race in place of R2AK, called the Washington 360 (WA360). Over the course of 3 days, the High Seas Drifters sailed all over the Pudget Sound and after an unexpected turn of events, won the entire race!
So after a respectable finish in the 2019 R2AK, and fresh off a win at WA360, we are really excited about the R2AK coming up in June 2022.
As we gear up for our journey north we're looking at a number of significant costs to get us there and back in one piece. Things like a certified life raft, safety equipment, navigation equipment, as well as trailering the boat home from Alaska make it an expensive undertaking.
Until Rolex or Heineken come calling with offers of sponsorship, we'd love your help.
Will you help us get to Alaska?
Read more about our team on the R2AK website: https://r2ak.com/2022-teams-full-race/team-high-seas-drifters-2/
Follow our journey at https://montanadrifters.com/
Last year, the organizers put on a race in place of R2AK, called the Washington 360 (WA360). Over the course of 3 days, the High Seas Drifters sailed all over the Pudget Sound and after an unexpected turn of events, won the entire race!
So after a respectable finish in the 2019 R2AK, and fresh off a win at WA360, we are really excited about the R2AK coming up in June 2022.
As we gear up for our journey north we're looking at a number of significant costs to get us there and back in one piece. Things like a certified life raft, safety equipment, navigation equipment, as well as trailering the boat home from Alaska make it an expensive undertaking.
Until Rolex or Heineken come calling with offers of sponsorship, we'd love your help.
Will you help us get to Alaska?
Read more about our team on the R2AK website: https://r2ak.com/2022-teams-full-race/team-high-seas-drifters-2/
Follow our journey at https://montanadrifters.com/
Fundraising team (2)
Mark Bostrom
Organizer
Helena, MT
Jefferson Franklin
Team member
