Challenger for America’s Cup

Shosholoza, the first African boat to try to qualify for America’s Cup competition, made a breakthrough Tuesday, winning twice in the Louis Vuitton challenger series.

Highlights: Shosholoza, which means “strive forward,” but which opponents have dubbed “She’s a loser,” turned in the upset of the series so far in sailing off Valencia, Spain, drubbing Italy’s Luna Rossa, runner-up in the 2000 Cup competition and previously undefeated in this series, by 32 seconds. Shosholoza then beat another rookie boat, China Team.

Lowlights: After losing to the upstart South African boat, Luna Rossa then lost again, by six seconds to BMW Oracle.

Oracle: BMW Oracle, the American boat, became the only undefeated boat in the challenger fleet with two victories. Before its close race with Luna Rossa, Oracle had beaten Sweden’s Victory Challenge by 1 minute 18 seconds.

What’s next: The upstart South Africans have two races today, one of them against second-place Emirates Team New Zealand. BMW Oracle will sail only once, against France’s Areva Challenge. Good sailing weather is forecast, with the wind picking up.

Quote of the day: “It was the first time in my life I’ve cried on the boat. During the whole race, I was very calm, but when we crossed the finish line, I just had this moment with my teammates.” -- Shosholoza strategist Ian Ainslie, who helped set up the team with syndicate leader Salvatore Sarno.

*--* STANDINGS Boat Pts 1. BMW Oracle Racing 13 2. Mascalzone Latino 10 3. Emirates Team NZ 9 4. Victory Challenge 8 4. Shosholoza 8 4. Luna Rossa 8 7. Areva Challenge 7 8. Desafio Espanol 5 9. UI Team Germany 3 10. +39 Challenge 2 11. China Team 1

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