Sailing regatta is illegal?

Even participating in sailing regatta event would be illegal to US export regulation?
Difficult to imagine? Below is the case summary.

The U.S. Commerce Department recently fined two individuals for organizing and participating in a 2003 sailing regatta from Florida to Cuba and back. After the regatta, Commerce charged them with aiding and abetting the unlicensed export of a sailboat to Cuba because the sailboat was classified according to the Commerce Control List as 8A992 f., which controls “[v]essels … including inflatable boats, and specially designed components therefore.”
Exports of such items require a license to Cuba and other countries.

In addition to violation of export regulation, they illegally provided travel service to Cuba, it would be another penalty by US Treasury Department.

I believe this case is without evil intention, and not so much threat to national security, however it is violation and penalty is given. Very instructive case people must understand US export regulation.

(Source: http://www.bryancave.com/bulletins/ IRB No 415 on Nov. 20, 2008)