What does Wicked Wily Wildcat mean?
First, a crazy race like the Race to Alaska requires an equally insane team name. Every team takes pride in developing something on the edge of written language that has a clever story behind it. Here's the story behind our name, beyond just our appreciation for alliteration:
Wicked = A nod to New England, where Adam grew up sailing and exploring. I'm not sure you can walk into a room in the area without hearing the word.
Wily = 750nm requires a bit of craftiness and ingenuity. We can't say we will be breaking any rules, because there really aren't any, but we look forward to sharing all the creativity we implement to get to Ketchikan. And while it hasn't worked out yet for the coyote (he infamous Wile E Coyote), we're confident we can turn the luck around for this word.
Wildcat = This isn't just any cat boat that we will be sailing, this is a Marshall 18 that has been especially bred and outfit for an adventure like this. Calling her a regular cat wouldn't do her justice. She's a wildcat.
Team captain, lead chef, and primary deck swabber. I'm sailing single-handed to Alaska. Performance during the race falls entirely on me. I've sailed thousands of miles single-handed, but the 750 nautical miles from Port Townsend to Ketchikan are bound to be some of the toughest I've covered alone.
From grizzly bears to extreme current and whirlpools, this race takes tremendous preparation and focus. Unlike shorthanded offshore passages, I won't be underway the entire time. An autopilot would run me up onto the rocks promptly in the tight passages. This race will take the combination of skills I've acquired in the marine industry, from yacht design to boatbuilding and sailmaking, and blend them with the decades of coastal and offshore racing I've enjoyed.
This journey will be nothing short of a true adventure. As a writer and consultant, I'm excited to share plenty of stories and lessons along the way and when I return to South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
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This race and adventure won't be possible without a support network. We have preparation work for the boat, logistics, provisioning, strategy development, and emergency assistance to cover. Thank you to everyone that has joined this race family!!