America's
Cup - Yacht Shosholoza Relaunched In The Mediterranean
As An African Challenger
The
SA America's Cup yacht Shosholoza RSA 48 was re-launched
in the Mediterranean Sea in Marseille, France,
late yesterday afternoon as the world's first
African challenger for the historic 32nd America's
Cup.
It
was a moment to be savoured for the South African
crew of Team Shosholoza who will make their debut
in yachting's equivalent of Formula One motor
racing this Sunday (5 September) at the first
of the pre-regattas or "Acts" leading
up to the America's Cup proper in 2007.
The
week-long Marseille Louis Vuitton Act 1, marks
the start of the next America's Cup and also celebrates
the return of the Cup to Europe for the first
time in 153 years. This follows the Swiss victory
over the New Zealanders in Auckland last year.
Crew
members of Team Shosholoza are world champion
yachtsman Geoff Meek (skipper), SA Olympic yachtsman
Ian Ainslie (ex Free State and Durban), Marc Lagesse
(ex Johannesburg), Alex Runciman (Cape Town),
Marcello Burricks (Oceanview), Golden Mgedeza
and Solomon Dipeere (both from Kwa Thema near
Springs, Guateng), Guido Verhovert, Ashton Sampson,
Sieraj Jacobs, Charles Nankin, Joe Heywood and
Davey Smith(all of Cape Town), Mark Sadler (ex
Benoni) and David Rae (ex Pretoria.)
Although
not a compulsory event in terms of seeding or
accumulating points the Marseille event will nevertheless
prove a steep learning for the South Africans
as they pitch themselves against an intimidating
line up of America's Cup all time greats: The
current Cup defenders, the Swiss Alinghi Challenge,
America’s BMW Oracle Challenge from San
Francisco, the French Ledefi and K Challenge Teams
and Emirates Team New Zealand.
“Shosholoza
is a 2000 generation yacht built for the Italian
Prada Challenge and will therefore be one of the
oldest racing in Marseille, but our aim is learn
from the international racing experience and to
do our best," said Captain Salvatore Sarno,
the chairman of principle sponsors Mediterranean
Shipping Company (South Africa)and the driving
force behind the campaign.
Yacht
Shosholoza was shipped to Europe aboard an MSC
container ship a month ago. Team Shosholoza flew
into Marseille a week ago and have worked around
the clock to refit her keel and step the mast
for her re-launch
The
yacht was moored in Marseille's old harbour last
night but was out the water again today for extensive
measuring to ensure it meets with the regatta’s
stringent race rules and regulations. She is scheduled
to sail for the first time tomorrow (Wednesday)when
new sails will be tested and the boat tuned-up
for racing.
Originally
a Phoenician port, the historic city of Marseille,
is known as one of the sailing capitals of the
Mediterranean. Dynamic and exciting racing can
be expected between the Frioul Islands and the
Corniche.
A
practice race is scheduled for Friday 3rd September,
when all six competing America’s Cup teams
have been invited to participate. The opening
fleet parade to the Vieux Port is scheduled for
Saturday 4th September, while racing begins with
two fleet races scheduled on Sunday. Racing ends
on Saturday 11 September.
In
an email today crew member Ashton Sampson said:
"The team is really bonding well together
and we are now starting to think more and more
about our sailing manoeuvres. As I type this message
at an internet cafe I am looking at the South
African flag flying on top of Shosholoza's mast
in the marina for literally thousands of people
to see."
