Team Shosholoza, who won a pre-match start after beating America's Cup defenders Alinghi for the second time on Tuesday, returns to the water today in Auckland, New Zealand.
Team Shosholoza, who won a pre-match start after beating America's Cup defenders Alinghi for the second time on Tuesday, returns to the water today in Auckland, New Zealand.
Speaking to Sowetan from New Zealand, team spokesman Di Meek said they were sure to continue doing well in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
Meek also explained that there had been several changes to the team that was first introduced in 2007 when Shosholoza set sail for the first time in these prestigious events.
"The Shosholoza crew contracts ended in May 2007 so we had to call on guys to join the team for the particular periods when we competed, twice in Italy last year and again now for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
"In this case it was difficult to get the crew as many of them have had to go back to regular jobs and for this regatta they needed to take almost six weeks' leave - for 10 days training in Valencia on yacht Shosholoza RSA 83 and then coming straight down to Auckland until 14 Feb," she explained.
"So Team Shosholoza has Italy's Paolo Cian and Tomasso Chieffi as skipper and tactician respectively.
"They brought international professional expertise to our fledgeling team in Valencia since 2006 and are on board again in Auckland.
"Shosholoza's make-up in New Zealand is hence more international with South African and Italian sailors making up the rest of the team."
Meek said they had eight South African crew on board Shosholoza for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
The South Africans are survivors from the 2007 America's Cup.
Charles Nankin, the mast man, is from Zeekoevlei in the Cape but now lives in Lisbon, Portugal; David Rae, the main trimmer, is from Cape Town; pitman Solomon Dipeere grew up in KwaThema, Springs and is now working as a mechanical engineering draughtsman at a diamond mine in Mussina.
The grinders are Reinhardt Rauscher of Boksburg, who works on charter yachts in Mexico; Camron Wills of Durban, who has just done three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race with Team Russia; and Moctar Fall, who grew up in Senegal and Cape Town and now lives in Valencia.
"Jo Lees of Durban will manage logistics and shore activities," Meek said.
"New to the team is Zimbabwean-born Vernon Neville, a top athlete who grew up in South Africa, coached rugby in Italy and later became a professional sailor.
"Neville was a grinder with Italian Louis Vuitton Cup finalists Luna Rossa in the 2007 America's Cup and previously with the America's Cup challenger, Team Prada."
Meek added: "The team is led by Durban-based founding managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno and is sponsored by MSC Crociere and Breil Milano." - Team Shosholoza and Sowetan
shosholoza shines
Team Shosholoza, who won a pre-match start after beating America's Cup defenders Alinghi for the second time on Tuesday, returns to the water today in Auckland, New Zealand.
Team Shosholoza, who won a pre-match start after beating America's Cup defenders Alinghi for the second time on Tuesday, returns to the water today in Auckland, New Zealand.
Speaking to Sowetan from New Zealand, team spokesman Di Meek said they were sure to continue doing well in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
Meek also explained that there had been several changes to the team that was first introduced in 2007 when Shosholoza set sail for the first time in these prestigious events.
"The Shosholoza crew contracts ended in May 2007 so we had to call on guys to join the team for the particular periods when we competed, twice in Italy last year and again now for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
"In this case it was difficult to get the crew as many of them have had to go back to regular jobs and for this regatta they needed to take almost six weeks' leave - for 10 days training in Valencia on yacht Shosholoza RSA 83 and then coming straight down to Auckland until 14 Feb," she explained.
"So Team Shosholoza has Italy's Paolo Cian and Tomasso Chieffi as skipper and tactician respectively.
"They brought international professional expertise to our fledgeling team in Valencia since 2006 and are on board again in Auckland.
"Shosholoza's make-up in New Zealand is hence more international with South African and Italian sailors making up the rest of the team."
Meek said they had eight South African crew on board Shosholoza for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
The South Africans are survivors from the 2007 America's Cup.
Charles Nankin, the mast man, is from Zeekoevlei in the Cape but now lives in Lisbon, Portugal; David Rae, the main trimmer, is from Cape Town; pitman Solomon Dipeere grew up in KwaThema, Springs and is now working as a mechanical engineering draughtsman at a diamond mine in Mussina.
The grinders are Reinhardt Rauscher of Boksburg, who works on charter yachts in Mexico; Camron Wills of Durban, who has just done three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race with Team Russia; and Moctar Fall, who grew up in Senegal and Cape Town and now lives in Valencia.
"Jo Lees of Durban will manage logistics and shore activities," Meek said.
"New to the team is Zimbabwean-born Vernon Neville, a top athlete who grew up in South Africa, coached rugby in Italy and later became a professional sailor.
"Neville was a grinder with Italian Louis Vuitton Cup finalists Luna Rossa in the 2007 America's Cup and previously with the America's Cup challenger, Team Prada."
Meek added: "The team is led by Durban-based founding managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno and is sponsored by MSC Crociere and Breil Milano." - Team Shosholoza and Sowetan
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