Deacon-Daughter Team Kostamo braves west coast waves, raise $260k for Burnaby Hospital Foundation

In brief

Deacon Tim Kostamo and his daughter, Sophia Kostamo, raised more than $250,000 for the Burnaby Hospital Foundation during a 13 day sailing trip. The pair, known as Team Kostamo, originally intended to complete the Race to Alaska, a competition that sails from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska.

The team abandoned their plans to finish the race after encountering heavy winds and a gale north of Vancouver Island. Sophia Kostamo reported that winds reached 35 knots, forcing the team to take down their mainsail. During the storm, Deacon Kostamo steered the 19.5 foot sailing ship for three consecutive hours to maintain control.

Because of poor wind conditions, the team spent nearly six days rowing their vessel up the coast of Vancouver Island. Although they did not complete the full race, Sophia Kostamo said the experience helped her learn about herself, her father, and trusting in God.