Team Shosholoza are packing up their yacht and preparing to return home to South Africa today.

The team finished 7th out of eight boats taking part in the latest series of America's cup Challenge races in Valenica, in Spain. Now they're waiting to take ownership of a new boat that should see them become even more competitive.

But what's been remarkable about these races for South Africa is that the crew and the boat were so competitive.

Team Shosholoza were sailing an old boat with a very new crew, against the most expensive yachts and most experienced crews the sailing world could muster. Not only did they not finish last, but in the match races, they came close to beating some of the big guns.

Skipper Geoff Meek says it's been a massive learning curve for the youngsters on the crew. Not only will they be getting a new boat - which would be launched next year in June -, but they're looking to add a few bigger and stronger members to the crew, and when racing resumes in the middle of next year, he's hoping they'll do even better than just coming close.