South African sailing will be showcased in Naples, Italy, this weekend when Team Shosholoza re-groups for the first time since the 2007 Americas Cup to compete in a series of exhibition races aboard the country’s flagship yacht Shosholoza RSA-83.

Six young sailors from Shosholozas development wing -- the Simonstown-based Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth -- will also be competing in this popular annual traditional sailing regatta which is open to all classes of boats.

The Velalonga is a fantastic nautical festival that attracts thousands of spectators and so gives us a platform to showcase our team and our wonderful country while we wait for a date to be decided for the next Americas Cup, said team managing director Captain Salvatore Sarno.

It also provides us with an opportunity to present Team Shosholoza as South African ambassadors in Europe for the 2010 Soccer World Cup as our mission is that we be a testimonial to the world that South Africa is a wonderful place to visit.  Our aim is to invite soccer fans to come to our shores.  Where better place to start than Italy!  said Captain Sarno.

Italy is our biggest fan base after South Africa and people are looking forward to meeting the crew and being able to see and touch our yacht Shosholoza that was designed and built in South Africa. 

Captain Sarno said the Velalonga will also give visibility to the teams two new Italian sponsors MSC Crociere and Breil Milano. 

Breil Milano, as sponsor of the 2008 Velalonga, has created a designer range of  merchandise to celebrate their association with Team Shosholoza.  Breil Milano watches will be presented to the winners of each category.

Many sailors who crewed for Team Shosholoza in the 2007 Americas Cup have taken leave from their jobs in South Africa and elsewhere in the world to re-join the team in Naples.  Yacht Shosholoza was shipped from the South African Americas Cup base in Valencia, Spain to Naples especially for the event. 

The Izivunguvungu MSC Foundation for Youth will be fielding three teams in the double-handed 420 Olympic dinghy class at the Velalonga. 

Taking part are Marlin Jones, Asinathi Jim, Ashwin Daniels, Denzio Davids, Daphne Jacobs, Sinethemba Ndzakayi and coach Kader Williams.  They represent the top sailors in the Foundations internal league and come from Ocean View, Masiphumelele and Red Hill. 

Jim is the 420 dinghy class South African national champion for 2008 and 2007 and Daniels the 2007 SA Optimist National Champion.  They have represented South Africa at World sailing championships and at the Africa Games as well as competed in local dinghy and offshore events. 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and patron of Team Shosholoza, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, has sent an email message to the team wishing them all of the very best for their first public appearance since the final races of the Americas Cup in Valencia, Spain last year.

The 2008 Naples Velalonga which starts on Sunday 1 June  is the 24th edition of the event to be held in the Gulf of Naples.  It is organized by the League Naval Naples, in collaboration with the Navy and attracts more than 250 boats.  It attracts fans from the entire Campania Region and a large number of enthusiasts and tourists take part in the festivities. 

In October Team Shosholoza, which is entered for the next Americas Cup under the burgee of Cape Towns Royal Cape Yacht Club, will also compete in another of Italys popular big sailing events   the Trieste Barcolana -  which with over 2000 competing yachts is one of the largest sailing regattas in Europe.