Katie Gaut is a cartographer and digital storyteller who harbors a profound passion for the sea and for empowering women in sailing. With over 20 years of experience on the ocean, including a 50-ton master Coast Guard license and ASA sailing instructor credentials, she’s captained boats in Hawaii, Alaska and the San Juans. Training for R2AK? Maybe after she’s done milking goats, chasing her son around the homestead, and spending time on the water.

Brianna Randall is a science writer, yoga teacher and all-around nature addict. She’s sailed 6,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, cruised through the Caribbean Sea, and made wakes in Montana lakes, the Gulf of California, the San Juan Islands and Alaska’s Inside Passage. She’s been dunking in ice-cold creeks daily to build endurance for the R2AK.

Melissa Roberts is an aquatic ecologist turned ER nurse who knows next to nothing about sailing and lots about Type 2 fun. She spent many summers cruising the Inside Passage as a cook on an eco-tourism boat, and can’t wait to return to those magical waters. In preparation for the R2AK, she’s started a daily squat routine and is drying bushels of apples.