Desafío Español 2007 into the semifinals

by Desafío Español 2007 and Sail-World on 10 May 2007
The objective of earning the best classification of a Spanish team in the history of the America’s Cup was accomplished yesterday, Desafío Español 2007 is in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

In a press conference today the Spanish syndicate has taken stock of the work done over the last three years. Agustín Zulueta, the Technical and Sports Director of Desafío Español 2007, commented that 'today Desafío Español is in the semifinals because they deserve to be not because Victory Challenge lost against Team New Zealand. We have won 13 regattas during the two Round Robins, which shows work well done.'

'In sporting terms we have given our all and we have created a technical office, despite a beginning which was hard due to the problem that we had with the designer Phil Kaiko (see: http://jury.americascup.com/multimedia/docs/2005/04/1112687415_acj003_jury_decision.pdf) ; and also a shipyard in Alginet. This is the pride of the whole team, made up of more than 100 people, we have obtained the Desafío of everybody and now it is seen that sailing is not an elitist sport' added Zulueta.

Luis Doreste also thanked the press for the generous coverage given during the Louis Vuitton Cup 'one always works better working together'.

Also, he thanked Zulueta for having created such an ambitious project 'in which we set a really high objective which was to get through to the semifinals. Now we have managed it we can feel satisfied, although sometimes we saw it as being difficult as all the teams have been really strong'.

Doreste also recognised the work of the technical office 'we have a competitive boat with which we can take on any rival. We have fought for each regatta, this is the fruit of the work of two teams during 12 hours a day over three years.'

The man from the Canary Islands sees that qualifying for the semifinals in the America’s Cup is very complicated 'due to the level that there is between the teams. From now on, we have to set our sights higher'.

John Cutler, technical director and tactician with the Spanish team, admitted that he was pleased with the results and thanked the work 'of everybody who has made it possible to be in the semifinals: technical office, crew'.

The vice-president of the Spanish Sailing Federation, Manuel Chirivella, commented that 'it was a difficult beginning, when some people viewed this project with scepticism. Today it has been confirmed that the sport of sailing in Spain is strong and consolidated'.

The head of the syndicate said he had received congratulations from the royal family, the President of the local government, Francisco Camps, and the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá and he gave his thanks for 'all the support received'.