10 April 2004

RAIN NO DAMPER AS NCONDE BALFOUR STEPS ABOARD TO TRY HELM OF YACHT SHOSHOLOZA - SA AMERICA'S CUP CHALLENGE 2007

Steady rain proved no damper for the Minister of Sport, Mr Nconde Balfour, in Cape Town today as he enthusiastically climbed aboard and tested the helm of yacht Shosholoza RSA 48 after giving his full support for the South African America's Cup Challenge 2007

The 25 metere state-of-the-art racing machine did not leave its moorings at the V&A Waterfront because of the weather - much to the apparent disappointment of Minister Balfour who said he was so excited to see the yacht with her spectacular graphics that he might have been persuaded to go for a sail in Table Bay.

Mr Balfour was officially introduced to the sailing and shore crew of the SA America's Cup Challenge 2007 by Mr Mafika Mkwanazi, the president of the SA America's Cup Syndicate, at a special ceremony alongside the yacht.

He was also delighted to be introduced to youngsters from the Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth, a sail training school operating from the SA Naval base in Simonstown. The school hopes to find and train at least seven development sailors who can join the SA America's Cup Challenge team.

Run by SA Olympic sailor Ian Ainslie for the past five years, the MSC Foundation for Youth has already produced a number of top yachtsmen, among them Golden Mgedeza and Marcello Burricks who are already members of the SA America's Cup Challenge team.

"My first question about this campaign was whether there was a development aspect in which South African children were going to benefit. I was assured there was and checked it with the Deputy Minister of Defence, but today I have seen it with my own eyes," said Mr Balfour.

Mr Balfour assured the crew and campaign organisors of both his and the government's full support and wished them all the very best in their endeavours during the next three years.

The crowd then joined him in a spontaneous and spirited rendition of "Shosholoza" while the South African flag was hoisted up the mast.

Admiral Koos Louw, the Italian Consul, Durban, Dr Alessandro Prunas, the Italian Consul, Cape Town, Dr Alberto Vecchi and the commodore of Royal Cape Yacht Club, Mr Russell Vollmer were present at the introduction ceremony which was hosted by Captain Salvatore Sarno, chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company, South Africa.

Captain Sarno is the managing director of the SA America's Cup Challenge 2007 and the driving force behind the three and a half year multi-million rand campaign.

The yacht, which is the first America's Cup yacht ever seen in South Africa, was built for the Italian Prada America's Cup 2003 Challenge.

Previously known as the Luna Rossa she was bought by the SA America's Cup Syndicate for 520 000 Euros and shipped to Cape Town by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on 8 March.

South Africa's maiden America's Cup challenge will be made at the 32nd edition of the historic 153 year old yachting event to be held in Valencia, Spain in 2007.

Held every four years, the America's Cup is regarded as the most esteemed sporting event of modern times. It attracts the most technologically advanced nations around the globe in what has become the fiercest of competitions for the world's oldest and most prestigious trophy.

The 2007 event will see the America's Cup being defended in Europe for the first time in 156 years following the Swiss defeat of New Zealand in 2003.