The South African America's Cup Challenge training yacht was officially re-named Shosholoza at a ceremony in Cape Town's Table Bay harbour today.

Accompanied by the South African navy brass band, a floating crane delivered the Shosholoza to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The hull of the yacht was unveiled to reveal a design based on traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Ndebele patterns in the colours of the South African flag. A bottle of champagne was smashed against the side of the hull to christen the yacht.

It was a proud moment for the president of South Africa's America's Cup Syndicate, Mafika Mkwanazi, who said the race was an interesting challenge.

"We've had 10 years of democracy and we've such a good project which basically puts South Africa on the world map," he said. "And not only South Africa, but Africa as well, because when we in South Africa do well in terms of any world events, whether it's in sports, business or cultural activities, we represent the rest of the continent.

The managing director of South Africa's challenge Salvatore Sarno said the team had the backing of everyone, including the country's minister of sport Ngconde Balfour, to whom he had outlined the project two months earlier.

"When I introduced to him our vision and our project, he was saying, 'Ah, Captain Sarno, it would be very nice if you go to Valencia'," Mr Sarno said. "I told him, sorry, we are not just going to Valencia. We are not just going to Valencia to show some of our black faces and to say sorry to have disturbed you and come back".

"We are going there because our people will look into the eyes of the best Americans, the best Australians, the best Italians, the best French and we will win! We will beat at least a lot of them."

Two new yachts will be built in the same style as the Shosholoza and whichever proves the fastest will compete in the final race. In the meantime, the South African team will be sailing, training and preparing for the toughest and certainly the most famous sailing race in the world.