Fukuoka in Japan will host yachting’s America’s Cup World Series on November 18-20 next, organisers announced yesterday.
It will be the first time that the world’s oldest sporting trophy, dating back 165 years, will take place in Asia.
“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, the CEO of the 35th America’s Cup.
“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.”
SoftBank Team Japan is the fourth Japanese challenge for the America’s Cup, and the first since 1999.
Kazuhiko “Fuku” Sofuku was a bowman with that 1999 team and he has returned with SoftBank Team Japan as general manager and sailing crew member.
“As a Japanese sailor, it is extremely meaningful to be able to have the race in Japan,” he said.
“On behalf of SoftBank Team Japan, I know we’ll be putting all of our efforts into producing a great result.”
Japan Sailing Federation President Hirobumi Kawano added: “The news that the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series is coming to Fukuoka reinforces Japan as a great sporting venue, following the decision to hold the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”
The World Series is a global circuit of events building towards the America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
The six America’s Cup teams are competing for points that count towards the next stage of racing, the America’s Cup Qualifiers.
In 2016, the America’s Cup World Series includes stops in Muscat, Oman; New York and Chicago; Portsmouth, England; Toulon, France; and Fukuoka.