Havana Challenge

By Terry Schmida

Organizers of this year’s Havana Challenge boat race are hoping to build on the success of last year’s event – and to have a good time doing it.

The event, which includes a competitive jaunt to the Cuban capital from Key West, and participation in a Cuban-organized Hobie Cat 16 regatta, will be the fourth such endeavor in the past 16 years, and the first since the resumption of official diplomatic relations between the island nation and the U.S.A.

The Challenge was held in 2000 and again in 2001, but lapsed until last year, when the slightly more relaxed regulatory climate convinced organizers that the time had come to revive the race. That historic happening culminated with a boat parade through Havana, and the sight of the first American-flagged vessels in Havana Harbor in more than half a century.

The small fleet of participating boaters is finding this year’s regatta even easier to take part in.

“As far as the permitting, there were certainly a lot of hurdles last year,” said George Bellenger, who organized the race with his wife Carla, and their fellow boat captain Joe Weatherby. “I’m relieved that it’s easier to do this year. When I left Cuba after last year’s race, I thought to myself that this is going to be good for the Cuban people, and the beginning of a lot of nautical events to follow. And sure enough, there have been a number of other events down there. We were proud to be in the group that opened some doors, though it would have happened eventually anyway.”

As in years past, the 2016 regatta will consist of both the Gulfstream 100, a sailing race to Havana, beginning at first light on May 10 in Key West, and participation in the Copa de Amistad, along with the Cuban national team, and that country’s Olympic sailors.

Thousands of Cubans are expected to welcome the visiting American mariners, and watch the Copa de Amistad from the Malecon.

“The racing part is fun, but it’s secondary to us building relationships with the Cubans,” George Bellenger said. “It’s all about building bridges and bringing Key West and Havana closer together. Our working mantra is bridging cultures through traditional maritime heritage. We like to say that we’re practicing Hobie Cat diplomacy.”

An organizational meeting, which will also serve as a last chance opportunity for sailors to register to participate in the race, will be held at 8 p.m. April 20, in the sail loft at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St.

For more information, visit www.havanachallenge.com

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