Historic victory for Desafío Español 2007

by Desafío Español Media on 17 May 2007
For the first time in the history of this competition, a Spanish syndicate has beaten the New Zealanders. Desafío Español 2007 defeated Emirates Team New Zealand in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

With this victory the Spaniards gain one point, and change the results table to 1-2. Desafío Español sailed a perfect regatta, crossing the finishing line 1:14 ahead of their opponent.

In the pre-start, the Spanish team fought hard with their rival and at forty seconds before the start, managed to manoeuvre their opponent into receiving a penalization which would have to be carried out before the end of the race.

Desafío Español 2007 departed along the right, the side that they had defended, making their first manoeuvres which a little later would give them the lead of a length over the New Zealand boat. The Spaniards continued along the right and halfway down the leg moved into the lead, turning ahead of their rival.

From that moment on, Desafío Español 2007 marked their opponent and stretched their lead, supporting the pressure from their rival and arriving at the top marker ahead by two lengths and fourteen seconds.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed] On the downwind leg, the Spanish team tried to escape their adversary who was deflecting the wind, as they marked the Spaniards from behind. Sailing down the right side until half way, the Spanish team managed to maintain their lead but in the last part, the New Zealanders shortened the distance whilst the Spaniards headed for the centre and as they passed the leeward gate their lead had been reduced to one length and eight seconds.

On the second upwind leg, the Spanish team maintained their distance, sailing down the right again and stretching their lead in a long tack and at the first crossing the advantage for the Spaniards was four lengths. Reading the regatta course throughout the leg, the Spanish boat arrived at the top marker with a lead of 44 seconds over the New Zealanders.

On the last downwind run, despite the great difference, Desafio Español 2007 continued marking their opponent and finally crossed the finishing line ahead of the New Zealand team by 1:14.

[Sorry, this content could not be displayed] Comments

Karol Jablonski, helmsman: 'Today we have fought very hard and we have done very well. The crew has done a great job and we are very happy to have earned this victory. All of the pre-starts are very intense and with many difficult situations. We had the control and we tried to maintain it longer to prevent them turning. Taking the right side and maintaining the advantage was fundamental. We know that the coming regattas will also be difficult, the key is in minimizing the risks and making adequate decisions; not only in the pre-start but also in choosing the side and doing everything well'.

Gabriel de Llano, grinder: 'Today we have had a good regatta; if we depart well, in front and we sail along the side we want to, it's clear that we can win the regatta. Since we are in the semifinals, each result is a reality, no longer a dream'.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is a rest day. The regattas resume on Friday 18 May at 15:00 on the North Course. The Spanish team will face the New Zealand team for the fourth time.

The Basque sailer, Unai Basurko, visited the base of Desafio Español 2007 today, after having completed the Velux 5 Oceans, involving a solo trip around the world. Today Basurko wanted to meet up with old friends 'whom I haven't seen for a long time'.

For the Basque sailor the America's Cup is a very technical competition, with a very strong and united team structure, which makes it different from sea navigation. 'The America's Cup boats are technologically very advanced, it is marvellous to see them in action' concluded Basurko.