MADRID (AFP) — Top American yachtsman Paul Cayard was on Friday named as sporting director of Spain's Desafio Espanol team for the next America's Cup.
Cayard, 48, a veteran of six Cups, was an advisor to Desafio for this year's event in Valencia in which the Spaniards made the semi-final of the Louis-Vuitton Cup, the winner of which determines who challenges for the America's Cup.
Desafio Espanol is one of five officially registered challengers who hope to take on Swiss defending champion Alinghi in Valencia in 2009.
However, the event is threatened by a legal dispute that pits Alinghi against US syndicate Oracle, which argues that new rules are unfairly weighed in the defender's favour.
In July, it took legal action in the United States against Alinghi over the new protocol adopted by the Swiss team. Unless the two sides settle out of court, the case will be heard in a New York court on October 22.
Cayard, who was in contact with other teams for 2009, won the Louis-Vuitton Cup with Italy's Il Moro di Venecia en 1992 before being beaten by the America team.
His America One team reached the challengers final in 2000. He also came second in the 2006 Volvo Race, a round-the-world team event, skippering Pirates of the Caribbean.
Cayard replaces Luis Doreste as sporting director.
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