Shosholoza wows Naples
19 June 2008
South African America's Cup team Shosholoza wowed the city of Naples, Italy recently with a virtuoso display of speed, technology and African exuberance as the celebrity guest entry in a 200-boat fleet competing in the city's annual nautical festival.
It was an impressive spectacle for the thousands of people lining the promenade as the huge 24-metre South African America's Cup class yacht towered over the fleet in the pre-race sail past held in Gulf of Naples that is hemmed by a steep cityscape of ancient castles and palaces, the volcanic Mount Vesuvius and the romantic isle of Capri.
Left the fleet behind
Yachts jostled to stay close to Shosholoza RSA 83, which was proudly sporting the branding of the team's new sponsors, MSC Crociere and Breil Milano. However, within seconds of the start she had left the fleet far in her wake to create her own race over the 13-nautical mile coastal course that featured famous land marks.
She took the finishing gun in an hour and 27 minutes.
Although it was an exhibition race, it was a poignant moment for Shosholoza helmsman Paolo Cian and team managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno, who are both celebrities in the historic Italian port city.
Cian, himself a Neapolitan, is a national sailing hero, currently ranked third on the world match racing leader board.
Sarno's home
Sarno grew up in a nearby village and is famous as the founder of the South African campaign that evoked so much passion at the 2007 America's Cup. He is also applauded for Shosholoza's development wing - the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth – which was also represented in Naples at the weekend.
"It was incredible to be part of the Naples Velalonga. Everyone was very excited, very happy to see and touch Shosholoza. They want us to come back next year," said Sarno.
"It was an important opportunity to continue our campaign. To show the Italians our African dream and a piece of South Africa.
Invitation to South Africa
"We want people to know us at close quarters and to invite them to come to South Africa without any fear, both now, and in 2010 to watch the Soccer World Cup," said Sarno who, as a resident of 20 years, has adopted South Africa as his own.
Cian said sailing Shosholoza in the Naples Velalonga was the greatest feeling.
"This is the place where I started sailing as an eight-year-old on a tiny Optimist and today I was on a rocket ship, right here in my sea with my team. It was just amazing!"
Popular visitors
Shosholoza sailors were stopped in the city streets for autographs and mobbed by young sailors at the Lega Navale, a non-profit corporation that organises the annual event in conjunction with the Italian Navy.
At times there were over a 100 people an hour visiting the yacht at her mooring in the Lega Navale, eager to talk to the crew, climb on board, and be photographed.
"I like very much the meaning of Shosholoza. For us it is a symbol that we in Naples can aspire to. Like Shosholoza we can be inspired to work together, move forward together, and grow together," said Rafaela Montella, a Neapolitan fan.
'A fantastic feeling'
Charles Nankin, who crewed for Shosholoza in the 2007 America's Cup, said it was "a fantastic feeling" being back with the team, especially as it was exactly a year since the campaign had ended in Valencia, Spain.
"We don't know what the future of the America's Cup holds for us right now but, who knows, this might be the start of new things," he said.
Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth coach Kader Williams said the six students from Simonstown in the Cape were warmly welcomed. The Lega Navale had gone out of their way to integrate them with young Neapolitans, as well as to show them cultural and historical sites, like Pompeii, and to ensure keen competition on the water.
Izivunguvungu triumph
The Izivunguvungu sailors took first and second places at a Tri-Nations event, beating Italian and Nigerian teams into third and fourth places respectively.
The president of the Lega Nevale, Rosaria Rosini said the friendship generated by Shosholoza and the important work done by Captain Sarno for the youngsters at the Izivunguvungu Foundation showed the way for promoting all that was positive in society.
"We have to build for our future. We can start by creating a spirit of fraternity among all of us, no matter what our differences are," said Rosini.
Source: Team Shosholoza
