For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, a dream position on board an America's Cup yacht is being auctioned on eBay. Team Shosholoza invites the highest bidder to the "Sicilian Show-Down" off Trapani.
The eBay winner will experience a live race on board the black yacht with its colourful South African design. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the auction will go to the Izivunguvungu Foundation, which runs a sailing school for socially disadvantaged children and young people near Cape Town.
Many sports fans dream of being "in the thick of it instead of just being there". Whether it's storming the pitch for Brazil in a World Cup match or whipping Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 car around the Nürburgring in a real race - no matter what the dream looks like, it is usually unattainable.
Even in the Americas Cup, the absolute top event in international sailing, a guest appearance on board during a race was previously reserved for kings and princes, journalists and VIP guests. As the "18th man", they were able to experience the action during the races up close in the stern of the Cup yachts at the special invitation of the team - a breathtaking and unique experience that can now be bought at auction on eBay for the first time.
The package up for auction includes two nights' accommodation and an unforgettable day as a guest of Team Shosholoza - also known as the "Soul of Sailing" due to the team's unique charisma.
Exclusive glimpses behind the scenes of an Americas Cup campaign await: in the morning, the highest bidder can watch the team's strategy meeting and race preparation, followed by a comprehensive briefing for the 18th man or woman. The starting signal is then given for the ultimate regatta experience. In the evening, a sparkling "champagne shower" awaits the - hopefully - victorious crew. The day is rounded off with the obligatory team dinner at the base camp.
The money raised at the auction goes directly to the Izivunguvungu Foundation, which offers socially disadvantaged children from the townships of Cape Town new opportunities in life. With Golden Mgedeza, Marcello Burricks and Solomon Dipeere, three young South Africans have already made an unprecedented sporting career and made the leap to the Shosholoza professional team. T-Systems, the business customer division of Deutsche Telekom and official chief sponsor of Team Shosholoza, will round up the highest bid after the auction in favour of the Izivunguvungu Foundation. The internet sports portal Sport1.de is supporting the auction as Team Shosholoza's media partner with a comprehensive communications package.
The South African team Shosholoza is auctioning the coveted "entry ticket" to the world of the best professional sailors for the Americas Cup pre-regattas in Trapani (Sicily) from 29 September to 9 October. Louis Vuitton Acts VIII and IX are on the programme in the dream Mediterranean. The auction will run from 25 August to 4 September on the global online marketplace eBay - at the same time as the Louis Vuitton Acts VI and VII off Malmö (Sweden), where eleven challenger teams from nine countries will be chasing Cup defender Alinghi for the second time this year. Further information on the auction can be found at www.teamshosholoza.com or at 18thman@teamshosholoza.com.
Jochen Rieker
Herausgeber YACHT
