KEY POINTS:
United Internet Team Germany took another big step in its campaign for the next America's Cup on Thursday, signing Karol Jablonski as its new skipper.
Jablonski, 44, steered Desafio Espanol into the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup last month, the qualifying races which decide who will challenge the Cup holder in the final.
Desafio lost the semi-final to Team New Zealand.
Earlier in the week the German team said it was building a new boat, GER 101, in order to prepare for the next Cup, which will be the 33rd edition of the 156-year-old event.
The 32nd America's Cup is being fought out between Swiss syndicate Alinghi and Team New Zealand, with the best-of-nine match level on 2-2 going into the fifth race on Friday.
Jablonski, a Polish national, is among the top five in sailing's World Match Race rankings and was the Match Race World Champion in 2001.
- Reuters
