The Havana Challenge, Six two man 16 foot Hobie Cat sailboats leave Key West's South Beach for a 90 mile race across the treacherous Florida Straits to Havana, Cuba. There the adventurous but experienced sailors from the eclectic island of Key West challenge the Cuban Olympic Sailing team, explore the Caribbean island from a local’s perspective, exchange cultural peculiarities, and return home on the final leg of the Havana Challenge. Thousands of Cuban citizens will be able to participate in the event by watching races from the Malecon, in Havana.
The six 2016 starters faced stiff 20mph winds from the south east and 8 foot waves, 3 made it to Cuba due to fallen masts and sinking hulls.