Shosholoza given celebrity status in Naples

by Di Meek on 3 Jun 2008
The South African America's Cup team, Shosholoza wowed the city of Naples, Italy, yesterday (1 June 2008) with a virtuoso display of speed, technology and African exuberance as the celebrity guest entry of 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.

Yachts jostled to stay close to Shosholoza RSA 83 but within seconds of the start she had left the fleet far in her wake to create her own race on the 13 nautical mile coastal course featuring famous land marks and take the finish gun in an hour and 27 minutes.

Although 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 this historic Italian port city.

Cian, himself a Neapolitan, is a national sailing hero currently ranked third on the world match racing leader board.

Captain 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, especially with our current problems at home which have been televised so much here in Europe.

'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.

Paolo 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!'

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 yacht Shosholoza 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.

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,' said Nankin.

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 show them cultural and historical sites like Pompeii and ensure keen competition on the water.

The Izivunguvungu sailors took first and second places at a Tri-Nations event beating Italian and Nigerian teams to third and fourth places respectively. A second 'friendly' regatta was held on Monday (2nd June) which was a holiday in Italy to celebrate the founding of the Republic.

The president of the Lega Nevale, Rosaria Rosini said the friendship generated by Shosholoza and the important work done by Captain Sarno for 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 President Rosini.

Team Shosholoza was proudly sporting the branding of their new sponsors MSC Crociere and Breil Milano at the Naples Velalonga