Ziska, a 116 year old yacht built by Crossfields of Arnside in 1903 has completed the Race to Alaska taking 16 days to do the 750 mile race.
The Race to Alaska runs from Port Townsend on the West Coast of America to Ketchikan in Alaska. It is designed to show case the latest technology for human and wind powered boats. Whilst Ziska was a long way behind the winners Team Angry Beavers, who completed the race in 4 days 4 hours in their modern light weight high performance boat, Ziska was 22nd overall out of 35 starters. Whilst Ziska coped well with gales, when the wind dropped, Ziska’s crew including on finish line had to row her 15 tonnes. Taking into account tacking sailed 1,285 to complete the course.
Ziska was built in Arnside in 1903 in Crossfield Brothers’ Boatyard on Church Hill. From the boatyard she was rolled down the hill past the Albion and launched from the beach. Little did anyone know all those years ago that Ziska would one day take part in the Race to Alaska. 1903 was the same year as the first aeroplane and before cars became common. Goods were transported round the village by horse and cart.
Ziska was brought by 19 year old in 1997and sailed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. In 2006 she was transported across America by road to Port Townsend on the West Coast of America. In 2017 Ziska was purchased by shipwright Stanford Siver. Stanford has spent the last two years restoring the boat before entering her in the Race2Alaska
Congrulations to Ziska, Stanford and his crew.