Areva Challenge and Team Shosholoza will go head to head in a one day Match Race play-and-fun-event in Gandia on 10 March.

As a prelude to the first French-South African ‘Games’, there will be an ACC Yacht training regatta between Areva Challenge and Team Shosholoza in Valencia on Friday 9 March.

Then, on Saturday 10 March, the boats go to Gandia. Areva Challenge General Manager Dawn Riley: “Gandia has invited us and Shosholoza for a fun day back in our ‘first home’ to wish us luck and have us enjoy their hospitality one last time before the racing begins.”

In Gandia harbour will be the two teams sailing on Swedish Match 40s, and will be scored on their best out of five. On the shore will be a multitude of activities including paella cooking, shopping, a beach volleyball tournament, rowing and a typical French game called Petanque.

In the evening will be a prize giving, and dinner party to give the teams a chance to bond. As Team Shosholoza’s Marketing Director Lars Böcking said: “This two-day event will be a big motivation to share and compare our philosophies, distract ourselves and also recharge our batteries. As well as promoting the teams, the event is for the sailors and their families to just have fun.”

Also Captain Salvatore Sarno, Head of Syndicate said: “We can show once again the new face of South Africa.”

Stephan Kandler, CEO of Areva Challenge concludes: “More racing and training are always good opportunities for both teams, and we are glad to show to the world that sailing the America’s Cup is also sharing universal values.”