Statement by Captain Salvatore Sarno, Managing director Team Shosholoza:

“I am shocked and outraged at the way Team Shosholoza has been treated this week and condemn in the strongest terms the audacious action taken by the Consortio Valencia 2007 who have used the Spanish Police to seal off the South African America’s Cup base in Port America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain, and ordered us to empty the base and vacate it immediately.

“I personally went to Valencia in September last year to meet with the Mr J Gisbert, the Managing Director of the Consortium and we agreed on 28th March as the deadline for vacating the base. In addition I have paid 90 000 euros to cover arrears in rent which became effective when Alinghi declared that there would be no more America’s Cup in Valencia. We have also supplied declarations from the Spanish Receiver of Revenue that Team Shosholoza has no outstanding debts or tax owed in Spain. In addition, because they were threatening to impound our equipment, we also supplied certificates of insurance and our custom bond as we need custom clearance in order to move our equipment.

We started packing up the base some months ago and had made arrangements for all the team’s equipment to be moved to storage facilities elsewhere in Valencia. However we were unable to start affecting our move because BMW Oracle Racing team, who occupy the adjacent base, had moved their containers and other equipment onto the quayside in front of the doors to the Shosholoza base during recent racing for the 33rd America’s Cup.

Yet incredibly, with over two weeks still in hand before our deadline to move expires, the Consortio Valencia decided not to honour their word and instead used the police to assist them in this audacious and outrageous action.

This is not a polite way to be treated. It is an abuse of power and not right what they have done to us. I have expressed my fury and disappointment in no uncertain terms in an open email to Mr J Gisbert of Consortio Valencia. The email is as follows:

Dear Mr Gisbert

I have been astonished to hear that this morning police officers have been at the base with a Court order to lock and seal it. Mr Moctar Fall who was preparing the material for the trasportation to the contracted wharehouse has been forced to leave the premise.

It is understood that in case the closure of the base will delay our packing,transfer we will not be responsible anymore for such a delay.

Reacting to an article by editor Pierre Orphanidis posted on his Valencia Sailing Blogspot last night, Captain Sarno said the police seals had been removed this morning and that Team Shosholoza is now in the process of moving: Said Captain Sarno: “We are moving but I would like to stress that it is certainly not a sad end for Team Shosholoza.”

For anyone involved in the America’s Cup, the ups and downs constitute a fact of life. If you happen to be the winning team, then the moment your yacht crosses the finish line victorious, a brand new cycle starts. On the other hand, if you are any of the remaining teams, an uncertain future lies ahead of you. It has always been like that and this time it isn’t any different.

Yet one thing is to wind down in an orderly fashion and a completely different story is what we saw on Thursday morning in Port America’s Cup. To our great surprise, the main entrance of the South African base has been sealed by the Spanish Police and the team has been ordered to empty it and vacate it. This must have taken place on Wednesday or Tuesday. The boat shed is open and, most probably, the shore crew will have to start packing very soon and try to find a temporary storage somewhere else.

We have no information as to why the Police took such action. Whatever the reason might be, this is a truly sad end for the first ever America’s Cup team from the African continent.

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN SALVATORE SARNO
Founder and Managing director of Team Shosholoza
South African America’s Cup Challenger

In response to Thursday’s ruling by the New York Supreme Court of Appeals.

“I welcome this week’s New York Court of Appeals ruling. I am really glad that finally, after almost two years of waiting, there is a decision.

“I think that it is the right verdict and that Alinghi and America’s Cup Management (ACM) made a mistake in accepting the challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup from Spain’s Club Nautico Espanol De Vela.

“Now at last we can move forward, although in my opinion it is out of the question that a multi-challenge America’s Cup can be held in 2010 or even 2011. In fact I don’t think it could be before 2012. We are experiencing the worst economic crisis in a century. We need time to come out of this and time to allow the world to regain confidence in sports sponsorship.

“Maybe in the meantime we will find a good solution to keep the competition alive but it won’t be the America’s Cup.

“In the meantime I will be giving my full attention to staying in command of my ship in order to ride the rough waters until the economic storm is over. And when the sea is calm again I will be ready to lead Shosholoza to new heights!

“I will be looking forward to that,” said Captain Sarno, who is also the chairman of the South African division of Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC is the second biggest container shipping company in the world.

On a beautiful day on Waitemata harbor, hundreds of spectator boats witnessed an exhilarating victory for Greek Challenge. Not only did the new America’s Cup team score their second victory in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, they beat the team that a mere two days past defeated the America’s Cup Defender, Alinghi. Greek Challenge nurtured a slight advantage at the start line into a huge lead of 1 minute 26 seconds at the finish.

The two aggressive match racers, Gavin Brady on the Greek boat and Paolo Cian for the South Africans, had a tight and close pre-start. The two boats hit the starting line on an equal footing, the Greeks on the left and the South Africans on the right, both powering towards the left side of the course. Nevertheless, Greek Challenge soon got a slight speed advantage over Shosholoza, allowing them to be ahead in the first cross. Brady’s astute match racing tactics forced Cian to do 2 additional tacks, slowing the South African boat even more. Greek Challenge rounded the first weather mark with a comfortable 35-second advantage.

Despite being the novice crew in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Greek Challenge sailed with confidence in the first run, doing a fantastic job in gybing under tricky conditions, and increased their lead to 38 seconds in the leeward gate.

From there on, it was plain sailing for the Greek crew, their Kiwi teammates and the South African navigator onboard Greek Challenge. They did a magnificent job in covering their opponent, putting an excellent display of teamwork and realizing their motto of “sail with your heart, win with your mind”.

The two teams will now face each other again next Tuesday in a race that will decide the 8th and 9th positions in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

Greek Challenge score a convincing second victory over Shosholoza. Auckland, 7 February 2009. Photo copyright Konstantinos Tsigkaras / Greek Challenge

Quotes of the day

Gavin Brady (NZL), helmsman of Greek Challenge: “Everything came together very well today, from start to finish. We had a good start, our tacks and gybes were excellent but more importantly there was good communication on the boat. We were calm, relaxed and quiet, undoubtedly the quietest day so far. Boat handling is undoubtedly getting better by the day. After yesterday’s unfortunate chain of mishaps we rallied and won the race.

All Greek sailors that took part in this regatta are now in a position to impress anyone on a Cup boat, no matter what team they might end up with. They could very well crew any big boat and I urge them to do it this summer in the Med.”

Marc Lagesse (RSA), navigator of Greek Challenge, on beating twice his former team: “…[Big smile]“

Sotiris Buseas (GRE), aft grinder and Greek Challenge CEO: “It was a great day and I have to thank the entire team for this very positive end to the Round Robins. Poseidon was on our side, as he always was. Our goal when we first arrived here was to sail correctly and participate. We finish the Round Robins with two victories under our belts but the most important thing is what we learned from the New Zealanders on the boat in two short weeks. We faced the world’s best sailing teams and we feel honored to take part in such an event”.

H.E. Evangelos Damianakis, Greek Ambassador to New Zealand and 18th man today: “This is my first time on a sailing yacht and I’m exhilarated. I was also told this was the second victory of the team and Greek Challenge proved they were up to the challenge. I’m proud I was part of the crew even if as a simple spectator at the back. It was a wonderful experience and I was surprised by the coordination and teamwork required in order to sail these yachts, let alone win a race.

I have to congratulate Mr Buseas for accomplishing this Herculean endeavor, bring a team down here to New Zealand and achieve two victories. I wish him all the best and I really look forward to a continuation”.

TV New Zealand’s Martin Tasker sends another interesting report from the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and the continuing preparations, especially of the 8 teams that will have to race on the BMW Oracle and Emirates Team NZ yachts.

Gavin Brady and Paolo Cian, helmsmen of Greek Challenge and Shosholoza respectively, talked about the feeling at sailing these boats. Brady, former BMW Oracle helmsman, pointed out that they had 5 years at the American team in order to get ready for the America’s Cup while the Greek team has only 5 days. Despite the fact there are more medalists on the Greek team than BMW Oracle, the learning curve is extremely steep. On the other hand, for Cian it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn their secrets. A few months ago they would have paid a fortune to do it while now it’s free, according to the Italian match racer.

Even Ben Ainslie, helmsman for Team Origin, has to take things slowly. The former second helmsman of Emirates Team NZ might know the boats and his kiwi opponents inside out, he will have to tame his aggressive sailing in order not to ruin the event by crashing the yachts on the first day.

Martin Tasker reports on the strange sights of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series . Auckland, 25 January 2009. Video copyright TV New Zealand

[Source: Shosholoza] Team Shosholoza came off the water buoyant after the first of five days of practice racing in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour yesterday in the countdown to Friday’s 30 January start of the first -ever Louis Vuitton Pacific Series (LVPS).

“It was a good day to start learning how to race on these unfamiliar boats because the wind was very light. The yachts are definitely different and more sophisticated than Shosholoza RSA 83. We have a lot to learn and we will, very quickly!” said Shosholoza skipper and helmsman Paolo Cian.

The practice racing schedule is a critical part of the LVPS match racing regatta as the crack ten international teams competing in the event will share four 80 foot Louis Vuitton Cup yachts.

The two yachts, NZL 92 and NZL 84 are on loan for the event from host team Emirates Team New Zealand and the yachts USA 87 and USA 98 from America’s BMW Oracle Racing.

First practice day for Shosholoza. Auckland, 24 January 2009. Photo copyright Team Shosholoza

Each pair of yachts has been modified to make them even and simplify boat handling. The modifications include disabling the rig tuning devises and sail inventory.

During racing a daily draw will determine which of the four yachts each team will sail with the proviso that the New Zealand yachts will always be raced against each other and likewise with the BMW Oracle Racing yachts. Teams will fly their national flag from the stern of the yacht when racing plus carry their respective country’s name and sponsor’s logos on the main and spinnaker sails..

Saturday’s (24 January) first day of practise racing started with an onboard orientation session supervised by key crew members from the respective team’s loaning their boats. Two crew will also remain onboard each yacht throughout the practice racing period to give advice and technical assistance.

With so many teams needing to be accommodated practice racing slots are for a period of just two hours a day so the pressure is on to get the most out of every minute on the water before the regatta gets underway.

Shosholoza’s first practice race on Saturday was on NZL 84 against Britain’s Team Origin on NZL 92. On Sunday the team will practise race on USA 87 against USA 98.

“For me as helmsman there was a very different feeling on the rudder. We have so much to learn but these are challengers that we enjoy because we are used to sailing on a range of different boats on the World Match Racing Tour,” said Cian

“But for instance Team Origin’s helmsman Ben Ainslie – who besides being Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor ever – was the B helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2007 America’s Cup so he has a good knowledge of the angles, setting and tuning of these New Zealand yachts.

First practice day for Shosholoza. Auckland, 24 January 2009. Photo copyright Team Shosholoza

“So there will be some skippers and crew who might have an insider’s edge on us but we have come straight from a very good and very intensive 10 day sail training session on Shosholoza RSA 83 in Valencia. Even though it was freezing in Europe we got into a good groove and built excellent team spirit. Time is tight now for optimising our performance, but then it is the same for all the competing teams,” said Cian.

Cian said the narrow race course area between North Head and the volcanic island of Rangitoto was likely to be tricky as there was current and tides to contend with and constantly shifting winds.

Meanwhile the Shosholoza crew are revelling in the typically warm Kiwi welcome, the sunny 25 degree temperatures, turquoise seas and exquisite island scenery that characterises New Zealand’s city of sails

Most of the crew arrived in Auckland on Friday. Sunday saw the arrival of pitman Solomon Dipeere, who took time off from a diamond mine in northern South Africa where he works as an engineering draughtsman and David Rae (traveller) who flew directly from Salvador, Brazil after a record breaking line honours finish as crew on ICAP Leopard in the Cape to Bahia trans-Atlantic race.

Tactician Tommaso Chieffi and strategist Cameron Appleton arrive Monday direct from Miami’s Acura Key West 2009 regatta. Shosholoza is banking on Appleton’s local knowledge as he is the only Kiwi on board.

Sunday turned out to be a very good day in Valencia for the 4 teams that continue training in view of the Louis Vuitton Pacific series, starting in less than 2 weeks. The initial weather forecast called for a light breeze early in the morning, dropping down to 5-6 knots at noon and completely dying in the afternoon. Instead, what we had was the opposite. After a light start at 9pm, under blue and clear skies, the breeze built up throughout the morning, reaching 14-15 knots early in the afternoon. As a result, K-Challenge with Alinghi and Shosholoza with Luna Rossa were able to carry out a number of pre-starts as well as 3-4 full races, on short courses, emulating the ones that will be used in Auckland.

Valencia Sailing was aboard FRA-93, the K-Challenge yacht. The French team held its second day of training on the America’s Cup boat, after a very long absence from the Valencian waters. Nevertheless, FRA-93 had been sailing throughout the week, crewed by newcomers Greek Challenge. The French will train in Valencia on Monday and Tuesday and then leave for Auckland.

K-Challenge – AlinghiThe French had the America’s Cup Defender as their sparring partner. The two teams had 4 pre-starts and then carried out a full race, won by Alinghi. One absence on SUI-100 was Brad Butterworth.

K-Challenge trains with Alinghi. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

K-Challenge trains with Alinghi. Grinder Virgilio Torrecilla is one of the many sailors from Desafío that will be scattered almost through the entire fleet in Auckland. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

K-Challenge and Alinghi in dial up. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Philippe Mourniac, K-Challenge navigator, checks upon Alinghi. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi during the prestart against K-Challenge. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi during the prestart against K-Challenge. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Match racing maestro Sébastien Col helms K-Challenge in the race against Alinghi. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi during the prestart against K-Challenge. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi during the prestart against K-Challenge. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

K-Challenge trains with Alinghi. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

K-Challenge trains with Alinghi. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza – Luna RossaThe South Africans trained today together with the Italians, very close to the beach and the race course used by Alinghi and K-Challenge. In fact, the breeze allowed for the two courses to be almost parallel to the beach, allowing for a great spectating opportunity. I was not able to fully watch their races but I counted 3, and, unless I missed any result, Luna Rossa won all of them with ease.

Shosholoza in the prestart procedure against Luna Rossa. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa is leading the race against Shosholoza. Valencia, 18 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Not all action in Valencia is related to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series or the America’s Cup. Luna Rossa put their brand new STP65 back on the water, while the team is training on ITA-94. From what we understand, the maiden race of the new Italian yacht will be the Hublot Palmavela next April.

As we speak there are three teams today training on America’s Cup yachts. Luna Rossa on ITA-94, Shosholoza on RSA-83 and Greek Challenge on the K-Challenge FRA-93. Vasco Vascotto’s Damiani Italia put an end to their training here and SWE-73 is back in the Victory Challenge base.

The Luna Rossa STP65 yacht. Valencia, 15 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing