AMERICA\u2019S CUP: The SoftBank Corp and the Kansai Yacht Club have agreed to challenge for the 2017 America\u2019s Cup.<\/p>\n
As SoftBank Team Japan, the team will compete in the 2015 America\u2019s Cup World Series events, and challenge for the 2017 America\u2019s Cup in Bermuda.<\/p>\n
The campaign was confirmed on April 30 by Kazuhiko Sofuku, \u201cFuku\u201d, a veteran of four previous America\u2019s Cup campaigns who has been appointed as the team\u2019s general manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo lead a Japanese challenge for the America\u2019s Cup is a dream come true,\u201d said Fuku, who last raced with a Japanese team for the Cup 15 years ago as bowman for Nippon Challenge during the 1999\/2000 Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series.<\/p>\n
SoftBank Group representative Masayoshi Son said: “I am thrilled to announce that we will be supporting Team Japan at the America’s Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
SoftBank Team Japan is challenging under the banner of the Kansai Yacht Club, among the most distinguished clubs in the country.<\/p>\n
A base level of technical assistance from Oracle Team USA will be provided to SoftBank Team Japan as it prepares for the 2015 America\u2019s Cup World Series events.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoftBank Team Japan is a very positive addition to the America\u2019s Cup,\u201d said AC Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller. \u201cThe Japanese challenge will increase interest in the America\u2019s Cup across Asia which is good news for all of our teams and partners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bermuda Legacy<\/p>\n
Following the above press release on April 30 came another release from the AC saying it was to create a legacy for Bermuda and beyond.<\/p>\n
But surely we were given a similar promise after the incredibly successful AC34 in San Francisco?<\/p>\n
This one seems to have been rather better thought out and boasts input from companies such as North Sails, Hobie Cat, BIC Sport, RS Sailing, Harken, Dynamic Dollies and Racks as well as local partners in Bermuda.<\/p>\n
The objective is to launch an ambitious Community Sailing Project, with a focus on leaving a sporting legacy in Bermuda.<\/p>\n
The promise from The Top is that the Bermuda Community Sailing project is expected to serve as a blueprint for similar programmes in other cities and countries to be rolled out over the coming years.<\/p>\n
Sounds pretty good to us. But at a time when everything else about the AC seems to be about cutting costs, we wonder how much this programme will cost the entrants\u2026<\/p>\n
via Boating Business – Japanese entry for AC35<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AMERICA\u2019S CUP: The SoftBank Corp and the Kansai Yacht Club have agreed to challenge for the 2017 America\u2019s Cup. As SoftBank Team Japan, the team will compete in the 2015 America\u2019s Cup World Series events, and challenge for the 2017 … Continue reading