Reverend visitor

Archibishop Desmond Tutu in Valencia

In 'one stroke' Team Shosholoza, South Africa' first ever challenger for the 2007 America' Cup, had been able to present a visual image to the world of what South Africa hoped to become, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, told an international media contingent at a press conference hosted at the South African base in Valencia, Spain, yesterday.

"In the past people were alienated and separated from each other," said Archbishop Tutu who agreed to be Patron of the team in May last year. "They couldn't work together, live or play together and Shosholoza, in one stroke, has been able to present a new face to the world. It is a different image and a dream of what we want to become. Suddenly with Team Shosholoza the nation has discovered sailing. We didn't know anything about sailing before Shosholoza. These guys did so very, very well. I want to congratulate all of them!"

Archbishop Tutu, whose visit was hailed as a historic occasion for the 2007 America's Cup, was visiting the South African base for the first time. He flawed the crowd when he jauntily donned a Shosholoza '18th man' sailing jacket and confidently tried out the wheel of yacht Shosholoza RSA 83 - albeit dock-side. Accompanied by his wife Leah, team Managing Director Captain Salvatore Sarno and members of the crew he even ventured to the tip of the narrow bow end of the boat, constantly asking questions.

"What Shosholoza has done is a superb thing for our country," he told the crew. "It is a sport where we never thought we would even have a chance, but you have shocked the sailing world. You have demonstrated that the black community is able to integrate itself into this world and to be competitive in this sport."

Archbishop Tutu was unable to visit the crew while they were racing earlier this year as he himself was at sea on a round-the-world lecture cruise. He said he followed the team's progress in the media and kept in touch by sending them regular emails of congratulations or commiserations. "But most of the time it was congratulations because even when they lost they did not disgrace themselves. For first timers at the America's Cup they were fantastic. Out of this world! We are enormously proud of the team and thank them for what they are doing.

"Sport has been a powerful agent for our nation that was for so long divided. When we won the 1995 Rugby World Cup it did more for South Africa than the speeches of the politicians or even of archbishops. We were not the better side on that day but the side that desperately needed that victory. It was very important for the evolution of our country."



Honoured by Louis Vuitton

On Saturday evening Archbishop Tutu was honoured at a VIP dinner hosted by Louis Vuitton, the principle partners of the America's Cup. The dinner was also used as a fund raising event for the restructuring and development of Tygerberg Children's Hospital in Cape Town which specialises in infectious diseases like tuberculosis as well as HIV/AIDS, cancer, nervous system disorders and respiratory diseases.

"This is a historic moment and one of the greatest honours of the 2007 America's Cup to welcome Archbishop Tutu," said Bruno Troublé of Louis Vuitton. "In years to come we will remember the 32nd America's Cup for your visit and for Team Shosholoza's successes, their fantastic spirit, 'joie de vivre' and 'friendly approach."

Special guests at the dinner included Her Royal Highness Princess Irene of Greece, sister to HM Sofia Queen of Spain and President of the Madrid-based organisation World in Harmony, who spoke about her close friendship with the Tutu family, her visits to Tygerberg Children's Hospital and subsequent work in procuring funds for the hospital through the Spanish city of Seville. The Princess, whose brother King Constantine of Greece and brother-in-law, King Juan Carlos of Spain are both Olympic sailors, urged everyone present to give support for the Tygerberg Children's Hospital.

Other special guests included the South African Ambassador to Rome, Mr Lenin Shope and Mrs Nositembele Mapisa-Shope, First Secretary at the South African Embassy in Madrid, dignatories of the City of Valencia, representatives from the international media and America's Cup teams.

Paying tribute to Archbishop Tutu, Captain Sarno said Team Shosholoza felt immensely honoured to have the patronage of someone who together with former President Nelson Mandela were famed the world over for their important roles in the miracle that was the new South Africa. Captain Sarno quoted stanzas from Spain's famed Man of La Mancha about Don Quixote which he said so perfectly epitomised everything the Archbishop stood for. "Be sure that we will be with you when you dream your impossible dreams and we will be with you when you try to right the unrightable wrongs," said Captain Sarno.

More photos on page two....