America’s Cup set to hit Asia | CNN

America’s Cup set to hit Asia as Japan ends 165-year wait

2 minute read
Published 8:30 AM EDT, Thu June 2, 2016
SoftBank Team Japan will get the opportunity to race on home waters after organizers confirmed that <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.americascup.com%2Fen%2Fnews%2F2188_Fukuoka-Japan-to-Host-Asias-First-Louis-Vuitton-Americas-Cup-World-Series.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Fukuoka</a> will host a two-day World Series event on November 18, 2016.
SoftBank Team Japan will get the opportunity to race on home waters after organizers confirmed that Fukuoka will host a two-day World Series event on November 18, 2016.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The new syndicate is backed by telecommunications and internet multinational SoftBank Group, whose founder Masayoshi Son is worth a reported $11.2 billion despite losing several times that amount in the dotcom crash of 2000.
SoftBank Team Japan —
The new syndicate is backed by telecommunications and internet multinational SoftBank Group, whose founder Masayoshi Son is worth a reported $11.2 billion despite losing several times that amount in the dotcom crash of 2000.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Dean Barker, Team New Zealand's skipper in the 2007 and 2013 final defeats, is tasked with leading Japan's bid for a first title.
SoftBank Team Japan —
Dean Barker, Team New Zealand's skipper in the 2007 and 2013 final defeats, is tasked with leading Japan's bid for a first title.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Barker will be supported by general manager Kazuhiko Sofuku. The 49-year-old is taking part in his fourth America's Cup, having made his debut in 1995 as bowman on Nippon Challenge.
SoftBank Team Japan —
Barker will be supported by general manager Kazuhiko Sofuku. The 49-year-old is taking part in his fourth America's Cup, having made his debut in 1995 as bowman on Nippon Challenge.
YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Representing Kansai Yacht Club, this is the first Japanese-flagged entrant since 1999.
SoftBank Team Japan —
Representing Kansai Yacht Club, this is the first Japanese-flagged entrant since 1999.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Formed in 2000, the American team is seeking to win its third successive America's Cup, having triumphed in 2010 and 2013.
Oracle Team USA —
Formed in 2000, the American team is seeking to win its third successive America's Cup, having triumphed in 2010 and 2013.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images/file
Backed by billionaire Larry Ellison, CEO of software company Oracle, the team lost in the final of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Challenger series, and then in the semis four years later.
Oracle Team USA —
Backed by billionaire Larry Ellison, CEO of software company Oracle, the team lost in the final of the 2003 Louis Vuitton Challenger series, and then in the semis four years later.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/file
Australian skipper Jimmy Spithill helped Oracle become the first U.S. winner since 1992, as challenger in 2010, then backed that up with an extraordinary rally from 8-1 down to defeat Team New Zealand as defending champion three years later.
Oracle Team USA —
Australian skipper Jimmy Spithill helped Oracle become the first U.S. winner since 1992, as challenger in 2010, then backed that up with an extraordinary rally from 8-1 down to defeat Team New Zealand as defending champion three years later.
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for Vodafone/file
The Kiwi syndicate was America's Cup champion in 1995 and 2000, but lost to Swiss entrant Alinghi in the 2003 and 2007 finals.
Emirates Team New Zealand —
The Kiwi syndicate was America's Cup champion in 1995 and 2000, but lost to Swiss entrant Alinghi in the 2003 and 2007 finals.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Backed by Emirates airline and the New Zealand government, the team is led by Grant Dalton -- a former ocean racer who joined following 2003's defeat on the home waters of Auckland.
Emirates Team New Zealand —
Backed by Emirates airline and the New Zealand government, the team is led by Grant Dalton -- a former ocean racer who joined following 2003's defeat on the home waters of Auckland.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Glenn Ashby has taken over as skipper for this campaign. The Australian is a multiple world champion in multihull classes who had previously been a member of the Oracle team.
Emirates Team New Zealand —
Glenn Ashby has taken over as skipper for this campaign. The Australian is a multiple world champion in multihull classes who had previously been a member of the Oracle team.
FLORIAN CHOBLET/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Despite its long history in sailing's premier competition -- which dates back to 1851 -- the UK is still seeking its first title.
Team Land Rover BAR Britain —
Despite its long history in sailing's premier competition -- which dates back to 1851 -- the UK is still seeking its first title.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor with four gold medals, has taken a step up to lead his own team following his role as replacement tactician with Oracle in 2013.
Team Land Rover BAR Britain —
Ben Ainslie, the most successful Olympic sailor with four gold medals, has taken a step up to lead his own team following his role as replacement tactician with Oracle in 2013.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Laureus/file
Ainslie's team has had support from the British government and the royal family -- including Prince William (R) and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Team Land Rover BAR Britain —
Ainslie's team has had support from the British government and the royal family -- including Prince William (R) and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
LUKE MACGREGOR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Despite its success in other top sailing events, France has never won the America's Cup.
Groupama Team France —
Despite its success in other top sailing events, France has never won the America's Cup.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Skipper Franck Cammas, 43, has won some of sailing's most prestigious competitions, including the Volvo Ocean Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre and Route du Rhum.
Groupama Team France —
Skipper Franck Cammas, 43, has won some of sailing's most prestigious competitions, including the Volvo Ocean Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre and Route du Rhum.
FRED TANNEAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Cammas has been backed since 1998 by French insurance multinational Groupama, whose director general Thierry Martel is pictured.
Groupama Team France —
Cammas has been backed since 1998 by French insurance multinational Groupama, whose director general Thierry Martel is pictured.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Swedish syndicate took part in the 2013 Louis Vuitton Challenger series, losing in the semifinals. British crew member Andrew Simpson earlier died during a training accident in one of the 72-foot vessels being used for the 34th edition of the America's Cup.
Team Artemis Racing Sweden —
The Swedish syndicate took part in the 2013 Louis Vuitton Challenger series, losing in the semifinals. British crew member Andrew Simpson earlier died during a training accident in one of the 72-foot vessels being used for the 34th edition of the America's Cup.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images/file
Named after the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, the team was formed in 2006 by Swedish billionaire Torbjorn Tornqvist, co-founder of Gunvor Group -- one of the world's largest commodities conglomerates.
Team Artemis Racing Sweden —
Named after the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, the team was formed in 2006 by Swedish billionaire Torbjorn Tornqvist, co-founder of Gunvor Group -- one of the world's largest commodities conglomerates.
Stephen Lam/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Its Australian skipper Nathan Outteridge (pictured) was a gold medalist at London 2012, while team manager/tactician Iain Percy is a two-time Olympic champion for Britain who made his America's Cup debut in 2005.
Team Artemis Racing Sweden —
Its Australian skipper Nathan Outteridge (pictured) was a gold medalist at London 2012, while team manager/tactician Iain Percy is a two-time Olympic champion for Britain who made his America's Cup debut in 2005.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images/file
America's Cup: The contenders

Editor’s Note:

Story highlights

Japan to host America's Cup series

Two-day event in Fukuoka in November

Japan has first team since 1999

CNN  — 

The America’s Cup is coming to Asia – for the first time in its 165-year history.

It was announced Thursday that Fukuoka, Japan, will welcome the World Series on November 18, with organizers hoping the two-day event will lure a brand new audience to the sport.

The series allows teams to pick up qualifying points ahead of next year’s Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger races in Bermuda, from which the winner takes on defending champion Oracle Team USA in the battle for the America’s Cup.

“This is an incredible opportunity to showcase this compelling sport to new audiences, not only in Japan but across all of Asia,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of the 35th America’s Cup and and a five-time winner of sailing’s premier competition.

Read: ‘Ditch digger’ lands dream America’s Cup job

“With the challenge from SoftBank Team Japan marking the return of Japan to the America’s Cup, enthusiasm is building for the sport in Asia,” the New Zealander added.

“The new, foiling, flying AC45 catamarans produce exciting, exhilarating racing and show our sport at its best. This is what we are bringing to Fukuoka.”

Backed by tech billionaire Masayoshi Son, it is the fourth Japanese team to compete for the America’s Cup, but the first since 1999.

Kazuhiko “Fuku” Sofuku, who was a bowman in the team 17 years ago, has returned to the fold as general manager and is hoping the competition will take off in Asia.

“As a Japanese sailor, it is extremely meaningful to be able to have the race in Japan,” he said.

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“On behalf of SoftBank Team Japan, I know we’ll be putting all of our efforts into producing a great result.”

Read: How tea baron became ‘greatest of all losers’ in America’s Cup

With Japan to host the 2020 Olympics, Fukuoka will have the chance to show it can stage big sailing events.

“Fukuoka is aiming to be a leading city in Asia, so being able to host the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Japan for the first time is truly wonderful,” the city’s mayor Soichiro Takashima said.

The series started in 2015, and next week goes to Chicago before visiting Portsmouth in the UK in July, Toulon in France in September, and then Fukuoka.

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