Victoria sailor sets solo record in gruelling Race to Alaska
Victoria’s Eric Pesty was greeted by a jubilant crowd when he completed a remarkable feat on Friday, coming third overall in the 1,200-kilometre Race to Alaska and setting a new record for solo sailing participants.
While most competitors are part of a team, Pesty sailed the gruelling race solo.
Jesse Wiegel is in charge of this year’s Race to Alaska and says Pesty’s accomplishment is remarkable.
“The danger present when you are alone on a vessel at sea… you are mere inches from going through the veil to the other side, said Wiegel.
Despite the dangers of doing it alone, Pesty persevered — braving rough seas for nearly eight days after leaving Victoria, while completing the seventh annual event upon arrival in Ketchikan, Alaska.
“Doing a race this gruelling all by yourself is phenomenal,” said Molly McCarthy, a spokesperson for the race.
There are few rules for the race. Contestants leave Port Townsend, Wash., and have 36 hours to get to Victoria before journeying onwards from there to Ketchikan.
The key rule is that all vessels must be propelled by wind or human power only.
"There needs to be a place in the world where people can test themselves with very little safety net," said Wiegel.
Twenty-nine teams left Victoria's Inner Harbour on June 8. By Monday morning, seven boats had completed the race, nine had dropped out and 13 were still on the water.
Pesty is the only finisher so far this year to do it alone. He barely slept, catching naps while his boat sailed on, he said.
The race is North America’s longest human- and wind-powered race.
It attracts sailors, kayakers, rowers and even paddle-boarders.
The winner gets $10,000. The second-place finisher gets a set of steak knives. No other awards are given out.
“Anyone can get $10,000, but there's only seven sets of those steak knives in the world,” said Wiegel.
The real prize is the satisfaction of finishing.
“We think absolutely anyone who completes this race, they win,” said Wiegel. “They’ve won whatever it is that they're racing for. People are here racing for all sorts of reasons.”
Competitors have until July 1 to finish.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949994.1720031014!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'I am running': Biden scrambles as pressure grows to abandon his campaign
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to stay in the 2024 presidential race during a call with campaign staff on Wednesday and sought to reassure top Democrats on Capitol Hill that he is fit for reelection despite his shaky debate performance last week.
Is Greece's six-day work week an option in Canada? An expert weighs in
As some Canadian companies explore offering staff a four-day work week, experts are watching Greece's move closely and suggest it could work in Canada.
Ontario man suffers cardiac arrest in Florida. This is why insurance won't cover his $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who wanted to spend time with his family in Florida was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back to Canada.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.
'Not my finest moment:' Police called to dispute between Ottawa city councillor and daycare owner
Ottawa city councillor Clarke Kelly says he is not apologizing after a Kinburn daycare owner alleged he screamed and swore in front of children during a dispute that saw police called to the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Hudson's Bay Co. to purchase U.S. department store Neiman Marcus: reports
Hudson's Bay Co. has reached a deal to buy luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus, according to media reports.
Trudeau focused on governing, fighting right-wing populism following byelection loss
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a Toronto riding last week, but the prime minister said his focus remains on governing.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.
DEVELOPING Hurricane Beryl roars by Jamaica after killing at least 6 people in the southeast Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl was roaring by Jamaica Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least six people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.