Win a place on Team Shosholoza

Auction to be held on ebay.de

For the first time in the history of the America's Cup a dream position on board an America's Cup yacht is up for auction on www.eBay.de. America's Cup challenger Team Shosholoza from South Africa is offering the highest bidder a place in the 'Sicilian showdown' in Trapani (Italy). The eBay winner will experience a race live on board the black yacht with its colourful South African design. All proceeds of the auction will go to the Izivunguvungu Foundation, which runs a sailing school for disadvantaged children and young people near Cape Town.

Many sports fans dream of being a 'participant not just a spectator'. To play up front for Brazil in the World Cup or to be behind the steering wheel of Michael Schumacher's car in a Formula One Grand Prix - whatever one’s dream may be like, in most cases it is completely out of reach.

And in the America's Cup, the most outstanding event in international sailing sport, being on board as a guest during a race was previously a privilege reserved for kings, princes, journalists and VIPs. At the special invitation of the team they were able to witness at first hand the action of the race from the stern of the Cup yacht as '18th man' - a breathtaking and unique experience that is now to be auctioned off on eBay for the first time. The package includes two nights accommodation and an unforgettable day's sailing as the guest of international America's Cup Team Shosholoza.

Here's the opportunity for an exclusive look behind the scenes of an America's Cup campaign. In the morning the highest bidder will attend the team's strategy meeting and race preparations, followed by a detailed briefing for the 18th man or woman. After that comes the starter's pistol for the ultimate regatta experience. In the evening a 'champagne shower' awaits the - hopefully - victorious crew. The whole day is rounded off with the obligatory team dinner at the base camp.

The money raised by this auction will go directly to the Izivunguvungu Foundation, which offers opportunities to socially disadvantaged children from the township of Cape Town. Golden Mgedeza, Marcello Burricks and Solomon Dipeere are three young South Africans who have benefited from the Foundation and succeeded in making a sporting career for themselves in Team Shosholoza.

T-Systems, the brand for business customers of Deutsche Telekom AG and 'Official Chief Sponsor' of Team Shosholoza, will round up the final bid for the benefit of the Izivunguvungu Foundation. Internet sports portal Sport1.de is supporting the auction as Team Shosholoza media partner.

Team Shosholoza from South Africa is auctioning the prized 'admission ticket' to the world of top-class professional sailing for the America's Cup preliminary regattas from 29 September to 9 October in Trapani (Sicily). Louis Vuitton Acts 8 and 9 are going to be held in this idyllic Mediterranean setting. The auction will run at the worlds online marketplace eBay from 25 August to 4 September - i.e. at the same time as Louis Vuitton Acts 6 and 7 in Malmö (Sweden), where for the second time this year eleven challenger teams from nine countries will be attempting to hunt down America's Cup defender Alinghi.