Nice Ink -- German Sailing Grand Prix

Congrats to BMW ORACLE Racing, Team Shosholoza and United Internet Team Germany for the excellent exhibition event at Kiel last week. Before, during and since there has been plenty of nice ink for the three teams, and the Cup in general, all over the web -- and, in particular, in the German media.

Live, high quality TV was produced by Sam Usher and his team from Narrowstep. This very experienced crew also televise the World Match Racing Tour.

Check the teams' websites for details, and the BMW ORACLE Racing team blog (shameless plug!) for a bunch of photos and a behind-the-scenes-look into the GSGP.

Unfortunately on the final day (last Sunday), a key Shosholoza crewman, Charles Nankin (RSA), was injured in a freakish accident at the leeward gate in the first fleet race of the day. Shosho issued a statement Thursday with the happy news that Charles is recovering following surgery on Monday. Excerpt from the Shosho statement:


He underwent a three hour operation, led by director of the clinic, Dr A. Seekamp, on Monday in which titanium was used to stabilise his 2nd vertebra which was fractured in the incident. He was sitting up and walked briefly on crutches yesterday (Thursday) and has no other spinal, neck or cerebral injury. He is expected to remain in hospital until 20 August after when he will join the rest of Team Shosholoza at their base in Valencia, Spain. Doctors have advised that he will need physiotherapy for three months and should be able to resume normal sports activities after six months.


The Challenger Commission joins all the AC 32 family in wishing Charles a full and speedy recovery.



Charles Nankin with his family Phillip and Flavia. Photo courtesy of the
Team Shosholoza website.