Italian sponsor for Shosholoza
22 February 2007
South Africa's America's Cup yacht Team Shosholoza will be flying a new logo following Wednesday's announcement that Italy's largest cruise ship company, MSC Crociere, will be sponsoring Africa's first challenger for the America's Cup.
Speaking to journalists in Genoa, Italy on Wednesday, team managing director Salvatore Sarno said: "We are proud to announce this tremendous support from MSC Crociere just weeks ahead of the April start of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia.
America's Cup 2011 in SA?
"To have this sponsor is extremely important for us, especially for a further campaign," Sarno said. "As you know, we are still dreaming of having the America's Cup in South Africa 2011."
MSC Crociere is also a co-sponsor of the America's Cup defender, Team Alinghi.
Since taking up the America's Cup challenge, Team Shosholoza has captured the imagination of sailing fans worldwide by turning a largely
inexperienced crew into a world-class outfit capable of taking on and beating the world's best yachtsmen and their boats.
'Golden Sail' award
Some unusual honours have come the way of Team Shosholoza, including the "Golden Sail" award presented by the Republic of San Marino in 2006.
The world's smallest and oldest republic said it was giving its prized award to a team "that not only has an excellent sailing preparation but one that also has a deeply human ethic and social conscience.
And therein lies the success of Team Shosholoza. Not only has the yacht and the crew excelled in competition, but their success, and what it means on a social level - not only for South Africans but for anyone with big dreams - has touched thousands of people around the world.
'Part of the African renaissance'
When Sarno first announced South Africa's America's Cup challenge on 4 June 2004, he described it as "an
opportunity to show that all of South Africa's citizens can work together, do well and have success together. In essence it is an opportunity to be part of the African renaissance."
Team Shosholoza has already achieved these goals, with sponsors such as MSC Crociere now seeing the team as one that attracts people by much more than its sailing ability alone.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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