They are very quickly and unpredictable sailboats that will allow more than a sports event, a symbol of friendship between U.S. and Cuban citizens.

The arrival this weekend to this capital of the Havana Challenge regatta, in addition of being a challenge to ocean currents, foster friendship, as the organizers from both countries conceive it.

About 100 Americans in some 20 sailboats arrived in the Marina Hemingway yacht club, in western Havana, from Key West, Florida, the first race of this kind in 15 years.

The sailboats departed early Saturday from Key West, and three of Hobbie Cats-16 were the first in arriving in the Hemingway International Nautical Club, founded in 1992, located in the marina of the same name.

Supporting boats and two schooners, copies of those of the 18th century, also came in the group.

Such activity is a great joy for the Cubans, particularly the commodore of the Hemingway Club, Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, main animator of the recreational boating activity in the island.

Exhibitions at the Havana’s Malecon coastlines and a competition of the Hobbie Cats, very fast and colorful sailboats, are expected for May 19-20.

(Prensa Latina)

This afternoon – it is stunning to actually witness – Diana is swimming stronger and stronger. Her strokes are up to 50 per minute, she is eating pasta, gobbling bananas, bits of peanut butter sandwiches, along with high-carb & high calorie liquid concoctions. Bonnie Stoll has not left her side.

Conditions remain calm beyond expectations. Angie Sollinger, a crew member, said she has lived in the Caribbean for 27 years and has rarely witnessed this extensive period of the Doldrums.

Around 1pm – and don’t everybody get excited here – an Oceanic white tipped shark was spotted near Diana in the midst of the three boat flotilla. Diana is deeply committed to the safety of these extraordinary animals. It was a testament to the talents of her safety divers as they approached the shark. Rob MacDonald, one of the divers, swam towards the shark, where they faced off within 10 feet of one another. “I guess he thought I was more aggressive than him, and he turned in the other direction,” said MacDonald. Everyone else, it must be said, breathed a huge sigh of relief.

At 3:15pm today, Diana is now 35 statutory miles from Havana about one-third of the way to Florida.