Meanwhile in Valencia... Sad end to Team Shosholoza

For anyone involved in the America's Cup, the ups and downs constitute a fact of life. If you happen to be the winning team, then the moment your yacht crosses the finish line victorious, a brand new cycle starts. On the other hand, if you are any of the remaining teams, an uncertain future lies ahead of you. It has always been like that and this time it isn't any different.

Yet one thing is to wind down in an orderly fashion and a completely different story is what we saw on Thursday morning in Port America's Cup. To our great surprise, the main entrance of the South African base has been sealed by the Spanish Police and the team has been ordered to empty it and vacate it. This must have taken place on Wednesday or Tuesday. The boat shed is open and, most probably, the shore crew will have to start packing very soon and try to find a temporary storage somewhere else.

We have no information as to why the Police took such action. Whatever the reason might be, this is a truly sad end for the first ever America's Cup team from the African continent.

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish police seals the Team Shosholoza base. Valencia, 11 March 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing