10th Conch Republic Cup Preview!

(Key West, Florida)– Welcome to the 10th edition of the Conch Republic Cup! We will welcome the fleet of competitors this year with our traditional Skipper’s meeting and Welcome party in Key West at the Schooner Wharf Bar and Grill January 26th.

We are pleased and excited to join with Evalena and her crew at Schooner’s to host the Key West events this year (note- Evalena is a local J/24 owner/ fanatic and loves sailing!). Schooner Wharf Bar and Grill has long been seen as “The” sailor’s bar in Key West and has a very long and storied history. As you may know, they host the Wrecker’s Race Series, an “all-in-fun” race series that recalls the tradition of the wreckers in the Key West of the 1800’s.

Once the sailors arrive in Hemingway Marina and grab some well-deserved rest they will be treated to the sights and sounds of Cuba with the traditional pig roast at the Hemingway International Yacht Club, thanks to Commodore Escrich- our gracious host in Cuba.

After a day of recuperation, we will be racing against Cuban sailors in this year’s Torreon de la Chorrera Buoy Race that runs the length of the Malecón. Competitors will sail by the US Embassy and along the famous Havana skyline. The start is located at the entry buoy to Havana Harbor under the shadow of Castillo del Morro, the famous cliff side fortress, and runs to the Torreon de la Chorrera, another famous Cuban Fortress, at the mouth of the Almendares River.

The third leg of this race series will bring the competitors back to Key West to celebrate the completion of Conch Republic Cup 2018 with the awards banquet at Schooner Wharf on February 3rd.

We look forward to sharing this cultural exchange through sport that highlights the love, friendship and cooperation with our Cuban neighbors as we celebrate the 10th edition of the Conch Republic Cup Regatta.

Looking forward to participating in the circle of love from Key West to Havana is Emilio Torres-Requena’s J/130 MAZU from Somerville, MA (e.g. near Boston).  They will be sailing the entire event in PHRF Spinnaker Class.  For more Conch Republic Cup sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.