The South African Challenge was formed in Cape Town by Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairman of the Durban-based branch of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, with the goal of bringing the America’s Cup to Africa. This is the first time an African America’s Cup challenge has been accepted.

The sailing team is proudly South African, and Shosholoza is planning to recruit 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 will be 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.

Skipper Geoff Meek is generally acknowledged as one of South Africa’s best yachtsmen, and has claimed victory in many international events like the Fastnet Race, and the Sydney to Hobart among others. He is supported by a number of internationally recognised South Africa yachtsmen, as well as Sailing Manager Paul Standbridge, who brings his experience from the 2003 GBR Challenge for the America’s Cup. Many of the team are competing on the international Match Race circuit.

Shosholoza raced for the first time in Marseille and finished in sixth position. Although it 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.

The team will become the first to sail a brand new Version 5 ACC boat in the Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts in June, 2005, which should make it more competitive with the rest of the fleet. This team has captured hearts all over the world with its spirit and determination, and will be eager to back up that support with results on the water.

Website: www.sachallenge.com

Yacht Club:

Royal Cape Yacht Club

Country:

Republic of South Africa (RSA)

Syndicate Established:
2003

Sail Numbers:
RSA 83 (The first Version 5 ACC boat built)

Syndicate Head:
Captain Salvatore Sarno

Skipper:
Geoff Meek

Helmsmen:
Ian Ainslie, Geoff Meek

Afterguard:
Mark Sadler, Marc Lagesse, Ian Ainslie, Geoff Meek

Designer:
Jason Ker