Know Your Seaster: Anna
An out-of-town racer to round out the team
Last but not least, we hear from Anna (that’s me!). I had been looking for an R2AK team through fall and winter, finally joining the Seasters in March. They took a gamble on me since I am from Portland, OR and had other races that would keep me away for two months leading up to the race. I think we’re all glad they did!
Q: What’s your sailing background?
A: A few years back I had a Nordic ski buddy who had circumnavigated for 14 years. All winter he told me these wild stories and it cracked open this world I’d never known about.
When i finally got around to learning, I thought I just wanted to get good enough to hop on boats as crew and see the world one bit at a time. Like, section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
But everyone said racing would make me a better sailor. I originally had no interest but I took the advice to heart and badgered my favorite skipper until a spot opened up on his boat. The first time I raced it was 20 knots and gusty and loud and adrenaline-filled and I was HOOKED.
I’ve been sailing for two years as of this month. I’ve done some boat deliveries (Port Angeles to Portland) and some cruising in the Caribbean and Desolation Sound. Mostly I’ve buoy racing on the Columbia River here in Portland, OR.
Q: What kind of professional/recreational background do you bring?
A: I’m a data analyst at Nike for my day job. The best application of that seems to be an unrelenting desire to put everything into a spreadsheet. My undergrad degree was in environmental science, driven by an infatuation with the natural world. That’s something I definitely share with my team and probably most R2AK racers.
I’m relatively new to adventuring, especially compared to the rest of my team. I’ve dabbled in backpacking, skiing, mountaineering, horseback riding, paddle things, and search and rescue. I’m always saying, “there’s only so many hours in a week!” I wish I could do everything all the time.
Q: Why do you want to do the Race to Alaska?
A: I originally wrote an answer and it got all long and deep and I decided to save it for some other time. Basically, R2AK is filled with the kind of maniac I want to be. There’s a compass inside me that points towards the things I admire in this life, I’ve never gone wrong following it.
Q: What’s the best part so far?
A: The team, hands down. I did not expect a lot of cohesion, especially since I joined the team late and am from out of town. But, we’ve gelled very quickly and been a huge joy. Everyone is so kind to each other. We support each other’s decisions. We’re silly and playful but also diligent and focused. These are people I can be myself around. And a version of myself that I really love. It’s rad.
Q: Has anything surprised you?
A: That I have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. I’m used to being the rookie on all of my teams. Getting into a new context has highlighted some of the places that I have a specific background. Like with buoy racing, you get very comfortable crossing really close to other boats without flinching.
Q: Anything you’re nervous about?
A: Mundane things that don’t really need airtime. Will my new friends still like me after I poop in front of them? Will my houseplants be ok while I’m gone? Will I survive the comedown after the race ends? What on earth am I going to do to top this?