The third edition of the Gran Retto Cuba Open Waters Crossing concluded successfully this Sunday in the Varadero resort, main sun and beach tourist center of the largest island in the Caribbean.
With the five and 10 kilometer competitions on a circuit designed in front of Hotel Los Delfines, a weekend in which more than 400 athletes participated representing Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Peru, Guatemala, the Bahamas, the United States and the host Cuba closed with a flourish.
Organized by the Mexican company Gran Retto, a specialist in the organization of this type of mass participation events, the objective of promoting the development of sports tourism on the island was met and the foundations were laid for expanding activities in future editions.
"I have been pleased once again by the warm welcome that the Cubans have given us, by the human quality of its people and by the beauty of this place, unique in the world," the general director of the brand, Luis Mario Villarreal, told Prensa Latina. "We'll see you in 2025 and surely with a broader program, new challenges and the participation of more countries," he added.
The last tests of the challenge, considered the open water marathon, had the privilege of having the world record holder in high jump Javier Sotomayor at the finish line to give the starting whistle, who was entertained by the public present."This is a great achievement for me. It is the first time that I participate in the Gran Retto and as athletes we must always have a positive mentality, I thought I could win and so it was," the winner of the five-kilometer distance, Cuban Elisandro Hernández, only 19 years old, told the agency. Mexican Maria Fernanda Trujillo, also 19, dominated the women's event for the second day, after winning her category in the 1,500 meters yesterday. "It's my second trip to Cuba. I came back because I really enjoyed the experience last year and now I'm better prepared and I won," she said minutes after arriving at the end of the circuit.
"I felt very good in the water, I swam comfortably and I'm very happy with this victory. I'm taking with me a tremendous experience and an excellent opinion about the Cubans," said 20-year-old Mexican Rancés Miranda, winner of the 10-kilometer distance, after his arrival.
On the day, Cuban Johen Lafont set a world record for the second consecutive day by swimming 750 meters while keeping a ball balanced on his head, after having registered 172 touches in the pool in the course of a minute the day before.
This great maritime adventure was sponsored by the Cuban Ministry of Tourism, Cubadeportes and the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) and had the agencies Havanatur S.A. and Taino Tours as receptives.
(Taken from Prensa Latina)