Whale incident causes Shosholoza damage

Further news from the South African America's Cup team

Yacht Shosholoza RSA 48 suffered internal structural damage aft of the keel area and some surface damage to the bulb as a result of colliding with a whale in Table Bay yesterday.

Structural engineers and yacht building experts from the Team Shosholoza Design and Build Team were on sight to inspect the yacht soon after it was lifted out the water at 4pm this afternoon.

"It is not as bad as we expected," said Team Shosholoza build manager Tony Evans. "We are very lucky to have got away with as little damage as we did." He estimated the internal structural damage aft of the keel would take about a day and a half to reinforce, the steering wheels about two to three days to rebuild and that the yacht should be back on the water sailing by Saturday.

The rig was also lifted off the yacht earlier today and no damage has been found. It will nevertheless be thoroughly die tested for any possible normal wear and tear damage as part of a routine service. If all goes according to schedule the yacht will be lifted back into the water on Friday.

Sailing Manager Paul Standbridge has scheduled Saturday as a full sail training day.

Skipper Geoff Meek has a grade 2 torn ligament on his left knee but recuperating well. Navigator Marc Lagesse is still in a lot of pain from his neck and collarbone bruising but returned to work today. The rest of the team are in excellent spirits despite minor bruising.

Messages of support have flooded in from around the world from members of the media, friends, supporters and also from the new official chief sponsor T-Systems who has offices in Europe, Asia, the America's and Africa. Mr Wolfgang Jakob, CEO of T-Systems South Africa, said he was delighted to hear there was no permanent damage to the yacht following such an unfortunate freak accident. "It is only when the unexpected happens that the true mettle of a team is tested and the spirit in which they have handled this utterly unexpected incident proves that they will be able to tackle any challenge that they will have to face in the America's Cup."