First regatta from the USA to Cuba in 60 years begins

For the first time since 1959, a regatta with a finish in Cuba is being held in the United States. The Havana Regatta started last Tuesday from St. Petersbergin Florida to Havana,Cuba.

The regatta features 80 boats with more than 550 competitors aboard. This is the largest number of Havana Regatta participants in its history. The regatta was founded in 1930, but has not been held since 1959 due to deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Several crews are led by Cubans. One of the boats is part of the state's Warrior Sailing Program, which aims to get American veterans involved in sailing.

«Being Green Berets, we feel good about it, after all, this is the first time in over 50 years that someone is bringing American freedom to Cuba, and we're among those people. We got a great chance to get some skills»," commented Robert Schaefer, a veteran and one of the founders of American Freedom Distillery.

Lloyd Thornburg's 40-footer FOMO is also participating in the regatta.

All regatta participants are expected to reach the finish line in Hemingway Marina today, Thursday, and can be tracked via an online tracker .

The U.S. imposed economic sanctions on Cuba in 1960. U.S. citizens have been banned from visiting Cuba since 1966. In 2015, US President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. In August 2015, a U.S.-flagged yacht legally docked in Cuba for the first time in 60 years: it was the 78-foot Numarine «Still Water».