Cuba Run

Distance Catamaran Race Looks Set To Happen

In November, 2010, John Webster will attempt to hold what many think has been a long time coming: a catamaran race to Cuba and back. The event, called “The Cuba Run,” will consist of two 96-mile open ocean legs and two days of cultural exchange in Cuba.

This will be the first event of its kind since Peter Goldsmith and Michele Geslin of Key West attempted to organize a race over the same distance in 2004; they were fined a total of $22,000 and slapped with stiff export restrictions (including the revocation of the right to organize similar events) for violating the “Trading with the Enemy Act,” part of legislation signed into effect by George W. Bush earlier that year.

Loosened restrictions by the Obama administration have organizers of this event optimistic.

If all goes according to plan, The Cuba Run will leave the White Street Pier in Key West at 8am on the morning of day one. They will sail through the Florida Straits and the Gulf Stream – where event organizers hope the predominate winds will make the sail a broad spinnaker reach – and try to arrive in Cuba by nightfall (which would require a constant speed of about 11 knots). Once there, sailors will clear Cuban Customs and Immigration with the help of members of the Hemingway Yacht Club in Sante Fe, Cuba.

Boat entries are limited to catamarans between 18 and 22 feet with spinnakers to help make timely passages to Cuba and back more likely.

Day two is the crux of the event and will perhaps represent the impetus for US Treasury permission to hold the race. After arriving in Cuba, visiting racers will share their wisdom with Cuban youth sailors. This educational endeavor will be divided in two parts: a classroom session and a half-day regatta in which local youth sailors will team up with experienced visitors. Winners will receive awards and trophies.

“The Cultural Exchange is pivotal to the success of this event,” explained Webster. “The Cuba Run 2010 is […] designed to extend the knowledge and practical experience for the Cuban youth sailing community.”

As far as the logistics of legal travel to Cuba, Webster said that the Cuban Authorities have been relatively easy to deal with and that event permits from the US Treasury are in the works. He said that the event’s management is confident the permit will be granted.

“We are very aware of past issues regarding these sort of events. This is unfortunate, however, the Cuba Run 2010 plans to follow the rules as set forth by the US State Department and the US Treasury. These rules are very clear and we intend to abide by each and every one of them. We also feel that the event is different in that we are going to Cuba as a sporting group and providing a cultural exchange that could not be accomplished any other way,” said Webster.
Another recurring concern about the event is safety. Seas between the Florida Keys and Cuba are known to be big and rough with storm systems that come in quickly. Addressing safety will start with screening entrants for experience, and at least three support boats will be following the fleet, said Webster.

“The management team has competed in, or been associated with, the running of the Worrell 1000 […] and all seven Great Texas 300 events,” said Webster. “Sailors expected to take part in this event will also come from the Tybee Island 500 […] The entry rules for the Cuba Run 2010 are comprised of input from the Worrell 1000 and the Great Texas 300 as well as specific requirements for this event.”
Lee Wicklund, a Nacra 20 skipper with experience in the Tybee 500 and GT 300, plans to enter the Cuba Run 2010. He said that weather is his biggest concern.
“If winds are too light, it'll be a long day on the water. If it's too heavy, it can be a really rough ride with the possibility of equipment failure increasing. Once again, if your boat fails, you're not going to have the option of heading to the beach.”

“You gotta have a certain amount of respect for this type of event, or you're going to get yourself and crew in serious trouble.”

Day three promises a chance to explore Havana and provide the visiting racers with the opportunity to experience Cuban culture up close before they push off for the tight reach back to the States. The experience and adventure are the most compelling reasons to enter the event, said Wicklund.

“When it’s over, we’ll all have our stories to tell about it. Those are our trophies. Not the hardware hanging on the wall or the numbers on the score sheet. The adventure is the prize and the person who steps up and challenges himself to face the adversity is the winner.”

ed note: The Cuba Run 2010 Race Rules have been posted on the site http://groups.google.com/group/the-cuba-run