Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba Commodore Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich expressed optimism at a press conference Wedneday at Sarasota Yacht Club about the Sarasota-Havana Regatta.

“This year is the 80th anniversary of the first sailing regatta from Florida to Havana,” Estrich said through a translator. “The same seas that separate us are the same seas that unite us.”

The Sarasota-Havana Regatta is scheduled for May. But the Sarasota Yacht Club Charitable Foundation will need OFAC approval by Feb. 15 and all additional governmental approvals by March 31 to conduct the Sarasota-Havana Regatta. If the yacht-club foundation doesn’t receive approval by those deadlines, the race will be rescheduled for May 2011.

Approval will be based on the race’s humanitarian mission.

“We’re looking at what Cuban children may need to pursue sailing,” said Sarasota Yacht Club Commodore Kay Goodman.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.
 

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