Here is a followup that was on Scuttlebutt today:
WHALE UPDATE
(Following the story yesterday in Scuttlebutt 1776 concerning Shosholoza's incident with the whale, email has been running high with interest on the whale's condition. Thanks to Di Meek, Media Liaison Officer of the SA America's Cup Challenge 2007, for providing this account.)
There is huge concern among the team as well about the whale. As you know they are out training alone every day in Table Bay and their only company on most days are the whales. They are sea people and are very aware of the whales and the last thing they would want is to harm them. At the time (of the incident) they saw one about 50 meters to the left of them and another about 100 metres to the right. This one (that they collided with) is presumed to have been very deep - four metres at least which is the draft of the keel - and there was no hint of it being below them.
They are both vigilant about whales and any floating objects because of the damage it could cause to the yacht. In our first release sent out yesterday we said that the whale surfaced immediately afterwards and moved off without any noticeable stress towards Charles Nankin who had been thrown off the yacht into the water. He was in the sea for between five to ten minutes and the rest of the crew watched the whale swim next to him. The team obviously haven't been out sailing today but whales have been seen in Table Bay since and a big group of people out on a Valentines Day cruise on the evening of the 14th saw about 15 whales in the bay.
We will obviously keep you posted. Thanks so much though for your response. It is a concern to all of us. - Di Meek, SA America's Cup Challenge 2007