Spanish jokes and bowsprits

It turns out now that the "bowsprit" on ESP-97 and her angular bow, as were seen during the "parade" through Valencia last December, were nothing more than an innocent joke by the Spanish America's Cup challenger.

Maybe after hiring Paul Cayard, originally from San Francisco, the Spanish America's Cup challenger could also hire this famous Canadian, living a few hundred miles south of Cayard's hometown. I doubt he has ever won an America's Cup but he's one of the best in his field.

The bows of ESP-88 (front) and ESP-97 (back) in the Desafío Español base. Valencia, 14 January 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bow of ESP-97 as it appeared for the first time during the boat's "parade" through the city. Valencia, 20 December 2006. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Jokes apart, the use of the bowsprit as a design element in America's Cup Class boats, at least in the 32nd edition in Valencia, seems to have two followers, first BMW Oracle on USA-87 and then Alinghi on SUI-64 and later SUI-91.

Last documented appearance of USA-87 in Valencia at the end of October. From what we hear, the bow of BMW Oracle's boat might not look like the one on the photo in a couple of months. The rumor mill in Valencia wants the Challenger of Record to have tried several (??) bow configurations on USA-87 this winter. Valencia, 25 October 2006. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi's SUI-64 and SUI-91 sailing in Dubai for their winter training. Dubai, 25 November 2006. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / Alinghi