Shosholoza, the soul of sailing

On Friday, Valencia Sailing had the chance to follow another team training session from a priviledged position. I was the 18th man aboard RSA-83, the yacht of Shosholoza, the first ever America's Cup challenger from South Africa.

The South African team trained together with United Internet Team Germany, following a schedule that allows both teams to evaluate and improve their performance.

Aboard RSA-83

Never having been aboard an America's Cup yacht it was impossible to fully grasp its complexity and understand how coordination and teamwork are absolutely necessary in order to make every maneuver.

Unfortunately, Friday's weather conditions were not ideal with sometimes wind dropping to 4-5 knots and as a result did not provide the perfect setting necessary to fully enjoy these boats.

Stretching exercises before sailing. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Dee Smith (left), team manager, tactician and skipper, and Jason Ker (right), chief designer of Shosholoza and father of RSA-83, discussing the day's tactics and training plans. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Muscle power in full use in order to hoist the mainsail. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Shosholoza starting the day's sailing. On the left, Tommaso Chieffi who joined Shosholoza last week as new helmsman. At the helms at that moment was Mark Sadler, new skipper of the team. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Shosholoza training. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Grinders provide all the power needed to tack. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Grinders provide all the power needed to tack. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, during training. On the left, Marc Largesse, navigator of the team, together with his inseparable companion, the computer. Valencia, aboard RSA-83, 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The training

The training shcedule depends on the needs of the team or is agreed upon by both teams in case of a joint session. For obvious reasons, we are not allowed to go into further details.

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza, the soul of sailing, training in Valencia. 31 March 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing