Shosholoza becoming comfortable with the best

by Team Shosholoza Media on 5 May 2007
Team Shosholoza won against China Team and lost a tightly fought duel to two times America's Cup winners Emirates Team New Zealand in the fifth and sixth flights of races in the Louis Vuitton Cup off Valencia, Spain, today but ultimately the team were hailed as heroes that should be backed in the next America's Cup.

The South Africans couldn't have sailed a closer race against one of the best sailing teams in the world. They outclassed the Kiwis in the pre-start and led off the line as the faster boat to hold a brief early lead of 30 metres up the first beat. The New Zealanders recovered and a tacking duel ensued with the South Africans showing good boat speed and crew work to protect the right side of the course. But it was the Kiwis who had the advantage in a tight 10 second rounding at the first windward mark. Shosholoza kept up the chase down the run keeping it to a close 13 seconds at the leeward gate. They lost a little up the second beat but fought valiantly all the way down the final run, however in the end it was Emirates Team New Zealand who took the finish line with a winning delta of 29 seconds.

Team Shosholoza helmsman Paolo Cian: 'I'm very satisfied with the races today. It was always close and unfortunately we did not get the points against the Kiwis. But hey, next time we can be ahead! The guys did an incredible job. Every single gybe was good and on every mark we were so close. It was really good, because New Zealand is one of the best teams in the world. And we are racing against them so well. I really have to say 'thank you' to everyone. Thank you to our designer, boat builder, sail makers, shore-crew, just to everyone who is working 24hours for this!'

Skipper Mark Sadler said he was enjoying how the team was 'getting used to being so close to the big teams'. 'It is so great that we can challenge them all the time. We kept the pressure up but it was hard to pass the Kiwis in these conditions. Tomorrow we race against the Spanish. I am expecting another tough race, but we have the chance to win and certainly we will take it', he commented.

Earlier this afternoon a tense pre-start dial-up saw China Team over the line at the start giving the South Africans the chance to pull out an early lead as the Chinese returned to re-start. The South Africans continued to extend as they ripped around the course posting a 1 minute 30 seconds delta at the first windward mark and gain more on each leg to post a winning delta of 2 minutes 1 second on China as they victoriously swept across the finish line.

Team Shosholoza is lying seventh overall after six flights of match races so far in the Louis Vuitton Cup. America's BMW ORACLE and Italy's Luna Rossa are still tied for first place at the top of the ranking as BMW had a bye in the sixth flight this afternoon. Emirates Team New Zealand is positioned third.

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CREW LIST TEAM SHOSHOLOZA -
against Team China / Emirates Team New Zealand:

Helmsman: Paolo Cian (Italy)
Tactician: Tommaso Chieffi (Italy)
Traveller:
Alex Runciman (South Africa) / Skipper Mark Sadler (South Africa)
Navigator: Marc Lagesse (South Africa)
Runner: Ian Ainslie (South Africa)
Mainsail Trimmer: David Rae (South Africa)
Aft Grinder:
Skipper Mark Sadler (South Africa) / Nic Fuller (South Africa)
Trim Up: Brett Jones (Australia)
Trim Down: Michael Giles (South Africa)
Port Grinder: Johann Spilhaus (South Africa)
STB Grinder: Shaun Pammenter (South Africa)
Mid Grinder: Camron Wills (South Africa)
Pit 1: Tim Kröger (Germany)
Pit 2: Solomon Dipeere (South Africa)
Mast: Charles Nankin (South Africa)
Mid-Bow: Ken Venn (South Africa)
Bow: Golden Mgedeza (South Africa)
18th Man:
Mr. Nadal (Spain) / Sandra Sarno (Italy)

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LOUIS VUITTON CUP Round Robin 2

Flight 5 (Final Delta mm:ss)
Victory Challenge beat United Internet Team Germany (01:18)
BMW ORACLE Racing beat Luna Rossa Challenge (00:19)
Mascalzone Latino beat +39 Challenge (02:07)
Team Shosholoza beat Team China (02:01)
Emirates Team New Zealand beat Desafío Español (00:43)
Bye: AREVA Challenge

Flight 6 (Final Delta mm:ss)
Luna Rossa Challenge beat AREVA Challenge (01:16)
Mascalzone Latino beat UI Team Germany (00:34)
Victory Challenge beat +39 Challenge (01:03)
Desafío Español beat Team China (03:45)
Emirates Team New Zealand beat Team Shosholoza (00:29)
Bye: BMW ORACLE Racing

PROVISIONAL RANKING LOUIS VUITTON CUP Round Robins
after 17 flights (points won/starts & in brackets: Bonus Points):

1. BMW ORACLE Racing 29 / 16 (3)
1. Luna Rossa Challenge 29 / 17 (3)
3. Emirates Team New Zealand 28 / 16 (4)
4. Desafío Español 23 / 16 (3)
5. Victory Challenge 22 / 17 (2)
6. Mascalzone Latino 18 / 16 (2)
7. Team Shosholoza 16 / 17 (2)
8. AREVA Challenge 13 / 16 (1)
9. +39 Challenge 6 / 16 (2)
10. United Internet Team Germany 5 / 17 (1)
11. Team China 3 / 17 (1)
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