The South African Challenge was formed in Cape Town by Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairman of the Durban-based branch of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the first time an African America's Cup challenge has been accepted.
The sailing team is proudly South African, and Shosholoza has recruited sailors from the local area, including a number of graduates from the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth sail training school, in Simonstown, just up the coast from Cape Town. The school has been used as a filter system for the development team for the Challenge.
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. Shosholoza has captured hearts all over the world with its spirit and determination and has adoped the nickname 'the soul of sailing'.
Geoff Meek skippered the team through the 2004 and 2005 seasons, before stepping down due to injury. His replacement is Mark Sadler, one of South Africa's best young yachtsmen. He is backed up by sport directors Paolo Cian (helmsman) and Tommaso Chieffi (tactician), along with strategist Ian Ainslie. Sailing Manager Paul Standbridge, brings his experience from the 2003 GBR Challenge for the America's Cup.
Shosholoza raced for the first time in Marseille and finished in sixth position. Although they trailed the fleet in Act 2, the South Africans recovered to finish seventh in the third Louis Vuitton Act and on the season championship table.
After a slow start in Valencia, the South Africans displayed impressive development over the 2005 season, putting it all together in the final Act in Trapani, where the team vaulted to finish fifth in the fleet races. Shosholoza is 11th on the season championship table and lies ninth on the Louis Vuitton Ranking.
The South Africans continued to improve in 2006, with three mid-fleet finishes in the Louis Vuitton Acts. This was good for seventh place overall on the season. The team remains in ninth place on the challenger ranking table, but has closed the gap to sit just five points back of Areva Challenge and +39 Challenge.
www.teamshosholoza.com
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