Cayard Joins Desafio Espanol

October 12, 2007

Paul Cayard has joined Desafío Español as Sports Director for the 33rd America's Cup. During the last edition of the event, Cayard was the team's Technical and Sports Adviser overseeing the preparation and set up of ESP 97 during the weeks leading up the Louis Vuitton Cup in April 2007. Cayard (San Francisco, USA 1959) has 24 years of experience in the America's Cup and will contribute his expertise to the team, in his new position as Sports Director. Cayard will start to work with the team in the middle of October.

This is the seventh time Cayard will be involved in sailing's premier event since his debut as a sail trimmer on board US-33 in 1983. In 1992, Cayard won the Louis Vuitton Cup skippering "Il Moro di Venezia" and in 2000 advanced to the finals of the Challenger Selection Series as Skipper of "America One". He also finished the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race in the runner up position skippering the "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Paul Cayard holds seven World Championship titles in different classes, has participated in two Olympic Games and, in 1998, was the first American to win the Whitbread Round the World Race skippering EF Language. "This is an opportunity to put my experience to work", he says. "It is also a chance for me to get back into the Cup game after missing the competition in 2003 and 2007. It will be enjoyable to race for the home team and to try to improve on the fantastic result of 2007", he adds.

The American sailor starts his relationship with the team at an early stage of the campaign. "I believe that my experience will help in the overall strategy for the team as well as decision making on an operational level. Also, this Cup will have a new design rule so the experience in getting a new class of boat to its maximum potential will be valuable. Further it will be imperative that the sailing team and the technical team have good communication and a good working relationship. I think I can help that process. The Spanish team is a good team that aspires to be great", remarked Cayard.

A press conference will be arranged in mid-October upon Cayard's arrival in Valencia.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

America's Cup:
2007 Desafío Español, Technical Advisor, Valencia
2000 AmericaOne Skipper, Auckland 1995 Stars and Stripes Helmsman San Diego
1992 Il Moro di Venezia Skipper/Manager San Diego
1991 International America's Cup Class Regatta, San Diego, Il Moro di Venezia
1987 USA Tactician Perth, Australia
1983 Defender - Sail trimmer Newport, RI
Won the Louis Vuitton Cup in 1992 and Citizen Cup in 1995, hence sailed as helmsman in two consecutive America's Cup finals.

Olympic Games:
2004 Star, Athens - 5th 1984 Star (Alternate),

Other Achievements:
1989 One Ton, Napoli, Brava 1988 Star, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1988 Maxi, San Francisco, Il Moro di Venezia III Round the World Sailing 2006 Volvo Ocean Race 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean 1998 Whitbread Round the World Race 1st EF LanguageLos Angeles Match Racing Results 2001 Bermuda Gold Cup, 1st 2001 Nations Cup, 1st 1999 Steinkager/Line 7, Auckland 1st 1998 Yachting Match Race Virgin, Gorda 1st 1997 Golden Gate Invitational, San Francisco 1st 1996 Steinlager/Line 7, Auckland 1st 1994 St. Francis Match Race, San Francisco 1st 1994 French International Sete, France 1st 1994 World Championship La Rochele, France 2nd 1992 Louis Vuitton Cup, San Diego 1st Racing/Cruising Helmsman Awards 2006 St Francis Yacht Club Yachtsman of the Year 2002 Sailing World Hall of Fame 1998 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year 1997 St. Francis Yacht Club Yachtsman of the Year 1992 Rothmans Yachtsman of the Year 1991 Yachting Magazine Yachtsman of the Year

World Championship Titles:
2002 IMS, Capri, Brava Q 8 1996 ILC 40, Athens, Brava Q8 1991 50' Class Japan Abracadabra