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Valencia - 18.06.2005

Hometown heroes

As the first soft deadline for entry into the 32nd America's Cup approached, the possibility of a Spanish America's Cup team hung in the balance. It had been six years since the country last had a challenge in the event, during which time the game has moved on and the intensity has cranked up several gears. Playing against some of the best sailing teams in the world, with their considerable depth of experience matched only by their ample budgets, is a tough challenge to take on.

But as the deadline passed just before Christmas last year, the Spanish were back in the America's Cup. To some, appearing on the entry list at the eleventh hour may have suggested a last minute campaign designed more to wave the flag and make up the numbers, than to pose any serious threat. But as several of the smaller and newer teams demonstrated last season, it's never a clever idea to underestimate the ability of a talented crew to make a serious impact on the race course.

The Spanish team might be new, but they're smart. As soon as the basic team structure had been established, the syndicate went in search of the boats and the people it needed. Among the first and most important of their acquisitions was the purchase of the former OneWorld boats, USA 65 & USA 67, a closely matched pair from the last Cup.

The right people

On the personnel front they hired a number of key players, among them the world number one match racing helmsman, Karol Jablonski, as their principal helmsman. Luis Doreste, who was part of the Spanish challenge in 1999/2000 and was the sailing manager for Luna Rossa last season, was brought in as skipper/team leader. His reputation as a big player in the IMS scene as well as his Olympic Gold medals make him another smart choice. Indoors they have Reichel & Pugh as their designers.

Another man with a useful background is the syndicate head, Agustin Zulueta. A builder, a sailor, and someone who has been seriously involved with the hotbed of Mediterranean IMS campaigns for many years, his experience in dealing with the wide range of issues a professional team will provide an essential skill that other teams may lack. When it comes to funding the team also appears to be well on track with several major sponsors on board.

A strong start

Now, with these major elements in place, Desafío Español have made things crystal clear that they're a force to be reckoned with, earning their first win on the first day of Louis Vuitton Act 4 with a strong victory over German team.

Speaking after the dream opening of their 2007 campaign Jablonski said, "We had a good day at the office. There are many, many things which we have to improve and we know this and we are going to work very hard to get better."

Desafío Español 2007, a new team perhaps, but one to watch.

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