America's Cup: Japan's Cup comeback is official

Japan is starting again 15 years after its last appearance in the America's Cup. YACHT online had already reported on the formation of the team. Now it's official: team manager Kazuhiko "Fuku" Sofuko has confirmed the Japanese challenge for the 35th America's Cup. "For me, leading the Japanese challenge is a dream come true," said the Japanese, who has already been part of the Nippon Challenge and is also known to German sailors as a team member of Peter Gilmour's once glorious match race teams. In 1999 and 2000, Sofuko was the foreshipman in the challenger series for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Japanese syndicate is backed by the telecommunications group SoftBank and the Kansai Yacht Club. The two partners have formed a joint team to participate in the 35th America's Cup and will already be taking part in the America's Cup World Series regattas this season. Sofuku said: "This is a great opportunity for Japan and Japanese sailors to return to America's Cup action. We plan to use the America's Cup World Series to build and train sailors for our team." For the time being, there has been no confirmation regarding the possible inclusion of Dean Barker, who was sidelined in New Zealand, in the Japanese team.

Speaking for the SoftBank Group, its founder Masayoshi Son, one of Japan's richest men and a friend of Larry Ellison, said: "I am thrilled to announce our support for Team Japan in the America's Cup. Taking on this great challenge at the pinnacle of racing is in line with the SoftBank Group's ambition to become the global number one. We look forward to cheering Team Japan on along the way with all our supporters." SoftBank Team Japan will start the America's Cup under the flag of the Kansai Yacht Club, which is backing a Japanese challenge for the first time. Ko Watanabe, Commodore of the traditional club, said: "This is a great challenge not only for our club but for the whole country. With the support of the whole nation, I am sure we can represent Japan with pride."

By accepting the challenge so late, the American defenders have once again stretched their own rulebook - the official deadline for submitting challenges has long since passed. In addition, the American defenders will provide the Japanese with "basic level technical support" during their preparations for the World Series. Cup marketer Harvey Schiller explained the reason for this: "SoftBank Team Japan is a very positive addition to the America's Cup. The Japanese challenge will increase interest in the America's Cup in Asia. This in turn is good news for all our teams and partners."

Following the withdrawal of the Italian America's Cup campaign Luna Rossa Challenge, the number of challengers for the 35th America's Cup has risen again to five: In addition to the Japanese, teams from France, England, Sweden and New Zealand want to compete for sailing's most important silver jug.