‘TEAM SHOSHOLOZA’ FROM SOUTH AFRICA IS THE THIRD CHALLENGER
Valencia, Spain – 4th June, 2004 – Following completion of all entry formalities on Thursday, 4th June, AC Management,
on behalf of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), is proud to announce that the Royal Cape Yacht Club has become the
third challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup.
Pierre-Yves Firmenich, President of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), accepted the challenge on behalf of his club,
the Defender of the America’s Cup.
This challenge marks the first time an African-based team has participated in the America’s Cup. The Royal Cape Yacht
Club joins the Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Circolo Vela Gargnano as official Challengers for the 32nd America’s Cup.
Captain Salvatore Sarno is the driving force behind South Africa’s maiden America’s Cup challenge. Italian born, he has
lived in South Africa for 14 years, first arriving as a ship’s officer on a freighter picking up a load of granite in
Durban.
“South Africa is a modern, dynamic, exciting country, and we want to show that to the world,” Captain Sarno said,
explaining his reasons for putting together the Shosholoza team. “The America’s Cup is the most sophisticated sporting
event in the world. It’s a perfect fit.”
“We want to show that on the boat, black and white can work together, do well, and have success together. We want to be
part of the renaissance of South Africa.”
The team will make its first public appearance in Europe in Marseille, on the 7th June, at a press conference promoting
the Marseille Louis Vuitton Act, Act 1 of the 32nd America’s Cup – Valencia. Team Shosholoza plans to race in all three
Acts this year.
The team name, Shosholoza, is a word with roots deep in South African culture. It is a worksong with a long history with
mine workers, and others engaged in hard, physical labour. As a word, it is understood to mean, ‘go forward’ or ‘make
way’, an appropriate sentiment for an America’s Cup team. The song was used to great effect by the home South African
crowd in the 1995 Rugby World Cup that was won by the South African team over New Zealand (the Kiwis had a better year
on the water, winning the America’s Cup for the first time that same year).
The South African America’s Cup Challenge has already been working for several months from its base in Cape Town. It has
purchased one of the Prada boats from the Louis Vuitton Cup winning team of 2000, and has been sailing on Table Bay for
several weeks.
World-champion South African yachtsman Geoff Meek has been appointed skipper of the team. A five-time South African
Yachtsman of the Year, Meek also has America’s Cup experience as the alternate skipper for the British team in training
for the 1986-1987 America’s Cup.
Adding experience to the team is sailing manager Paul Standbridge, who filled that role for the GBR Challenge in 2003.
Standbridge also brings experience from five Round the World Races, among other world-class offshore campaigns.
The Shosholoza team plans to build two new boats for the 32nd America’s Cup, and to that end has already enlisted
designer and naval architect Jason Ker. The team is currently planning to launch its first new design on Freedom Day in
South Africa, the 27th of April 2005.
Photos of the team sailing are available for media through the Media Section of www.americascup.com
Act 1 of the 32nd America’s Cup - Valencia begins in Marseille on the 5th of September, 2004. Racing will commence in
Valencia, Spain, the host city of the America’s Cup, on the 5th of October, 2004 with the Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts.
The 32nd America’s Cup Match is in 2007.
* * *
Since 1851, the America’s Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence.
Louis Vuitton, Endesa, Grupo Santander and the America’s Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and
extraordinary human achievement…
Louis Vuitton, Endesa, Grupo Santander and the America’s Cup – the stage for creating legends.
ENDS