Cuba Run

I just got this email from the Cuba run people.

I'm sitting here scratching my head over this, they are basically saying that they can't commit that you are even accepted to be one of the 75 racers, and that the gov't hasnt given permission to go. But go ahead and get a Visa - just in case.

Is it me or does this race seems entirely too unorganized to even consider?

Email


The Cuba Run 2010 is fast approaching so we will be starting to send out more announcements and items which will be of interest to everyone.

As everyone knows, we have allotted 75 slots for competitors boats. Because of the safety needs and intense interest of this event, we have found the need to require all persons interested in participating in The Cuba Run to complete an official "Registration Form" which will provide needed information to the Race Committee. You should expect this form to be available sometime during the next week. Note....this is in addition to any sailing resume you may have forwarded in the past.

Also, as we approach this event, we recognize that there are specific logistics which are necessary and one of them is the acquirement of a Visa to visit Cuba. As we have not yet received the proper authorization to visit and return to the US from the Treasury Department, but recognizing that the Visa approval process can take some time, we are preparing all needed information so that persons traveling with the event will be able to prepare their Visa request easily. The Visa request should be sent in just less than 6 months prior, so we will be providing this information to all potential participants during the next month. Please recognize though, that we do only have 75 slots for participants, and that securing a Visa does not officially secure you a spot on the roster.

Hotel accommodations are also in the works and you will be furnished with the necessary information shortly.

As always, should you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Have a great weekend!

~~Terri

I don't know, but if I were Castro, I would see 75 boats swooping in toward my beaches at high speed as an invasion.

Might be time to re-read Cuba by Steven Coonts.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/B0000632J1/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Hmm I was waiting for a letter basically saying the exact OPPOSITE of that to make me willing to do this race.

I'm sure that John Webster will get the visa situation worked out... I'm getting a new passport as we speak for this race and will be applying for a visa as soon as the instructions are posted. Have faith.

I agree Bo. I'll bet it gets it worked out also.

If not, oh well.

bvining....

I am sorry that you feel that the event is unorganized. You are more than welcome to contact me directly at any time to discuss questions you have. This event is incredibly huge and takes an enormous amount of planning. John Webster has been working on this basically full time for almost a year now...as well as many other people. What other type of emails would you like to receive. Please, please contact me (512.797.4483) as I would love to visit with you regarding any concerns you may have. And regarding the 75 slot limitation...this is largely necessary because of the amount of space available on both the Florida and Cuba side for set-up, storage, and landing of boats.

It is going to be an incredible event, you won't be disappointed!

~~Terri

Terri Reuwsaat
Communications Officer, The Cuba Run 2010

Don't sweat him Terri. He's a PUNK.
Keep at it.

I'm excited at the prospect of this race... I hope it happens and I'm there!

I just spent like 25 minutes on the phone with Terri. I'm going to pass a few things on that I learned from her. Hopefully I don't get myself into trouble.

- They are handling all the logistics for Cuba. They have the hotel reserved and the beach will be guarded to protect the boats. They want to know where all the sailors are at all times.

- They will shuttle your clothes and supplies to/from Cuba.

- They're working to streamline the visa process for the race and are hoping to have a boiler plate template to make it easier on everyone.

- Customs on both sides of the race are aware of the race and provisions and procedures are already developed for when we arrive in Cuba and back in the US.

- They have sponsors and media coverage that they're working on but don't have some of it finalized and won't announce it till it is.

- Someone tried this race a couple of years ago and didn't do the proper paperwork to make it happen. They went to jail and had 10k+ in fines assessed to them. They do NOT want to have the same thing happen here. After talking to her, I'm pretty confident that they don't want any of us to go to jail so they're being careful and methodical.

She said that she knows there has not been a lot of releases or information coming out lately but they don't want to put something out there and have it change and come back to them. The way she talked, I'd expect more info to hit the street well before the race starts.

After talking to her, I'm excited at the prospect of doing this race and the organization behind it! She said if anyone has any questions, please call/email her.

Terri also sent me an email asking to call her. Here's my response and I look forward to hearing hers on here.

Terri,
While I appreciate your willingness to address my concerns, I don't think it is in either of our best interests to have a private discussion. Concerns have been posted in numerous threads on catsailor and should be addressed there in an open forum. Please post your reponse there or I would be glad to.
I understand the extreme logistics involved in this race and appreciate that you do as this is going to be no small undertaking.

That being said i'll tell you my main concerns:
1) A 2 day window to sail to and from Cuba.
Your not going to get guys driving 5 (FL guys)-30 (myself and other NE's) hrs to possibly go to Cuba. And what happens when we get there and can't sail back? Committing to a 2 day window is risky with all the extreme conditions that can pop up over 90 miles of ocean sailing, not to mention the Gulf Stream.
2)75 boats is a lot of boats!
If the sh*t hits the fan your not going to have enough crash boats to support everyone. If you have several checkpoints and limit the race track to a couple mile width then it will be more managle but still i'd say you need 20+ crashboats for 75 boats. Safety wise I think you are really going to need a 3-1 ratio of crashboats to raceboats. I've been to buoys regattas where teams have been left without assitance in danger with crash boat ratios around 7-1. Not to mention I can't think of 75 teams capable of doing this sail, if you get some people not capable then your opening up a whole new can of worms.
How many crash boats do you plan to have if the planned 75 boats show up?
3)Logistics in Cuba
I know your working on the logistics involved of once we get over to Cuba and that's not nearly as much as a concern of the 2 points above.

Thanks again for your willingness to address my concerns.

Regards,
Todd

Todd....I hope this continued discussion on line will aide you as well as others to get a hold on the event. In response to your concerns....

1) A 2 day window to sail to and from Cuba. -- It could certainly be a long drive for some, but that is what some of us do to be a part of a special event. We actually have boats from out of the country wanting to be a part of this event. Myself, I have driven multiple days to be in a race and will certainly do it again. I guess that is a choice we all have to make. And you can be certain that we will be watching the weather, as will all the teams.

2)75 boats is a lot of boats! -- Very true! And that is why we are doing a lot of planning to make this work. We will only accept those teams which we believe can handle the potential conditions. Regarding the support boats, we hesitate to call them "crash" boats, but will certainly plan with the intention of making this race as safe as possible for all persons involved.

3)Logistics in Cuba -- This is continuing, as well as work on logistics in Florida.

I hope the above comments help all those involved in this event. Whether you will be an actual participant, or just supporting this event, I continue to welcome all comments and questions. We all want this to be an event to remember, in the best way possible. Thanks everyone! And thanks Will R. for a good discussion earlier in the day and for your post on this forum to pass out info. Again, my direct contact info [email protected] or 512.797.4483.

**** than the Worrell 1000, anyone remember that? Seems pretty familiar – lots of questions, few answers.

Thank you for responding Todd. I am excited about this event, and believe that it will be historical, fun, and a good adventure. I know that this event will be of the highest quality, with the participants best interest in mind. Those of you with questions, you are welcome to ask them here, or contact me. Have a great rest of the week everyone!

<**** than the Worrell 1000, anyone remember that? Seems pretty familiar – lots of questions, few answers.