The South African flag will once again fly high at the next edition of the world’s premier sailing event, the America’s Cup, following the lodging of a second challenge in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday.
Team Shosholoza founder and managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno confirmed by telephone on Wednesday night that he had personally lodged a notice of entry and submitted the required performance bond and necessary certification with the Swiss Société Nautique Genève (SNG), the defending yacht club of the 2007 America’s Cup winners, Team Alinghi.
Speaking with the same characteristic passion and commitment as he did four years ago when he lodged Africa’s first ever challenge for the America’s Cup, Captain Sarno confirmed that Cape Town’s Royal Cape Yacht Club would again be the South African challenge club.
As in 2004 his bold move comes with no signed sponsor to back his ambitious vision of pursuing a second South African campaign.
”I am looking for a proudly South African sponsor and I am positive that we will find one to support the African dream to bring the Cup home,” said Sarno.
”We want to present ourselves as a testimony for South Africa’s capacity to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. We showed a different side of South Africa at the last Cup and everyone liked what they saw. We want to remain the country’s best ambassadors on one of the world’s most influential platforms.
”We will be making sure that everyone wants to come to South Africa for the soccer.” said Sarno.
Team Shosholoza were hailed as victorious first-timers when they bowed out of the competition in seventh place in May this year after three years of relentless training and competition. — Sapa