Industrial Revolution’s President Wins Race to Alaska
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Seattle, WA – On June 12th, Graeme Esarey, President of Industrial Revolution, and team Elsie Piddock won the Race to Alaska. The team of three was the first to pull into Ketchikan, AK after sailing 750 miles, unassisted, in just five days. Greeting race participants with 50 degree waters that carry squalls, killer whales and 20 mph tidal currents, North America’s longest human and wind-powered race is for those seeking the ultimate thrill on the water.
“This race was one of the most interesting, challenging things I have done. I knew as soon as I heard about it that this race – through the PNW without engines, support crews, completely self reliant – was a gauntlet that had been thrown down and that I should pick it up if I could,” said Graeme Esarey. “My teammates were rock solid, the boat was fast, and we had a lot of luck too. That’s about what it takes to win a race like this.”
The Race to Alaska is a fully self-supported race with no supply drops or safety nets. Only boats without motors can participate and, other than two waypoints, race participants choose their route. In total, 40 teams signed up and began the race from Port Townsend, WA. First place winners received a prize of $10,000 and second place winners received steak knives.
“This was never about the money. This was about the accomplishment, about reconnecting people to the adventure of the water and to the fellowship that can create,” notes R2AK representatives of Team Elsie Piddock’s win. “Money in hand Team Elsie Piddock are staying to cheer and welcome the next sets of winners across the line. Class act. As sailors and humans these guys are the real deal.”
About Graeme
Graeme Esarey was born and raised in the PNW, but has climbed extensively in Asia and South America. He took a honeymoon cruise across the Pacific on a small sailboat, which was written about in Motion of the Ocean. He won the VanIsle 360 on his boat Kotuku, and is a regular fixture on long distance races in the PNW. Recently, he won the Race to Alaska aboard a 25’ all-carbon trimaran named after a children’s book. Find Graeme on Facebook, and kotuku’s blog
About Industrial Revolution
Founded in 1971 as UCO, the Original Candle Lantern company, Industrial Revolution has grown to become a leading manufacturer and distributor of inventive products that promote fun, safety, and comfort in the outdoors. In addition to UCO Candle Lanterns™, Stormproof Matches™ and portable grills, Industrial Revolution makes YayLabs! Ice Cream Balls and Pedco tripods and clamps. The company is also the US distributor of cutting-edge product lines from around the world, including Swedish Light My Fire® products such as the Spork and FireSteel®, and US and Canadian distributor of Sweden-based Morakniv® knives, as well as German-based Esbit solid fuel stoves and cookware.
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