GEOFF MEEK STEPS DOWN

World champion SA yachtsman Geoff Meek, who has been plagued by knee and shoulder injuries since yacht Shosholoza hit a whale in Table Bay early last year, has stepped down as skipper of Team Shosholoza.

Team strategist, Mark Sadler, 30, a winning South African dinghy and big boat racing skipper who grew up in Benoni, Gauteng, is the new skipper . Team Shosholoza is South Africa - and Africa's - first ever America's Cup challenger in the 154 year history of the prestigious event.

Team Shosholoza has also announced the appointment of ace Californian yachtsman Dee Smith who joins the team as Team Manager, coach and tactictian. Smith, who is considered one of the world's top ranked grand prix skipper/tacticians brings over 40 years of yacht racing experience and a wealth of knowledge in a variety of classes including the America's Cup.

Smith's appointment follows a short but successful contract with Team Shosholoza for the final two Louis Vuitton Acts of the America's Cup class racing season in Trapani, Sicily, last year when he was instrumental in bringing the team three match race wins and a startling (for a first timer to the America's Cup) fifth place overall in the fleet racing.

Team Shosholoza paid tribute to Meek with a standing ovation following the announcement in Cape Town yesterday.