Cuban athlete can’t finish his triathlon in Havana so he’s swimming to Bimini

Cuban triathlete Nino Fraguela wanted to finish his 287-mile performance in Havana, but the island's government did not answer his requests so he will instead finish in the Bahamian island of Bimini.

Fraguela, who lives in France, arrived in Miami last week for the last stage of his training.

In late October or early November, depending on the weather, he will start his triathlon from Miami's Calle Ocho, hoping to run 13 miles to Florida City, then bike 168 miles to Key West and swim 106 miles from Islamorada to Bimini

The event, branded as The Crossing 2017, is sponsored by Captain Manuel Rodríguez-Lestón and his Universo Marino team, among others, and has a team of 15 professionals that include doctors, nutritionists, kayakers and experts on water safety.

The event is a personal challenge for Fraguela, as well as an effort to highlight the importance of protecting the environment and the rights of children.

“All the benefits will go to two organizations. One part will go to UNICEF and the other to a U.S. association dedicated to the protection of the oceans,” Fraguela said.

Fraguela, 55, has lived for 30 years in Paris, where he settled after marrying a French citizen. He has a Cuban degree in biochemistry, and a French diploma in sports.

He's been training for the triathlon for more than two years and always planned to finish it in Cuba. But that was not to be.

“Initially, the destination was Havana. But we did not receive the permits from the Cuban government, so we decided to make some changes,” he said. “We've been preparing for about 2 ½ years, and we did not want to waste it all, so we changed the final destination to Bimini.”

Fraguela said the change increased the risks.

“Although the distances are the same, the challenge is more difficult because it borders on the Bermuda Triangle,” he said. “The fauna is more dangerous, because there are a lot of tiger, bull and white sharks, which are very aggressive. And the jellyfish, which produce fevers, skin irritations and vomiting, can ruin the crossing.”

Swimming in waters near the Bermuda Triangle does not mean that Fraguela has gone crazy. It is part of his passion to explore his limits.

“This is neither crazy nor something improvised,” he said. “We have been preparing for nearly three years with professionals from four countries: France, the United States, Cuba and Spain — specialists in sports, health and science.”

Fraguela said he expected the most challenging part of his event would be on the water.

“I will be protected in the water by two magnetic shields (Sharker Shields) and magnetic bracelets (Sharker Banz) on the wrists and ankles during the day to repel the sharks,” he explained. “At night I will almost certainly use a cage, because it's very dangerous.”

The triathlon will last less than three days. The run will take two to three hours. The bike ride to Key West will take another 10 to 12 hours. He will then ride a car for one hour to Islamorada and launch into the 50 to 60 hour swim to Bimini.

Food and hydration will be relatively simple.

“When Nino is swimming and wants food or water, he will come close to the boat and receive water or something light to eat that he can easily digest,” said Rodríguez-Lestón. “Out of the water it will be easier because he will carry drinks and sandwiches on the bike frame.”

This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Cuban athlete can’t finish his triathlon in Havana so he’s swimming to Bimini."