Are you good enough to be an America's Cup skipper?

The Spanish America's Cup challenger Desafío Español 2007 has just published a very interesting simulation game on its website. Even if it is currently available only in Spanish, it will give you the opportunity to test your sailing skills at the helms of the Green Team's America's Cup boat.

It is certainly not Virtual Skipper but it is still quite realistic and as far as we know, Desafío Español is the first syndicate to offer such a tool. It is a simple match race against an opponent boat and the race course consists of four marks that you have to round, completing a circle and returing to the start line. The boat is guided with the cursor keys, while there are also four sails that can be manipulated through four keys. The designers of the game have chosen considerably funny names for your opponents, such as "Internet Seafaring Team", "The Navigation Ship" or "The Tech Expedition", among others.

During the race you may encounter problems, such as hitting the small island or a spectator boat, ripping a sail, losing your navigation systems, breaking the hull or many other mishaps. Check it by clicking on the boat image and test your skills. As for myself, my chances in winning next year's Hollywood oscars are much greater than a career as an America's Cup skipper!!