America’s Cup racing is coming to Asia for the first time in the 165-year history of this iconic event.
America’s Cup racing comes to Asia for the first time to build interest in the event to new heights. The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series is scheduled to bring the unpredictable America’s Cup racing to Fukuoka, the fifth largest city in Japan, from November 18-20, 2016.
“This is an incredible opportunity to showcase this compelling sport to new audiences, not only in Japanbut 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. 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.”
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 to the America’s Cupwith SoftBank Team Japan as General Manager and sailing crew member for this new challenge.
He says holding an event in Japan for the first time will build interest in the America’s Cup to new heights.
“I was greatly moved to hear that the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series will be held in Japan. Asa Japanese sailor, it is extremely meaningful to be able to have the race in Japan,” said Fuku.
The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup 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 counttowards the next stage of racing, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers.
In 2016, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series includes stops in Muscat, Oman; New York and Chicago, USA; Portsmouth, UK; Toulon, France; and Fukuoka, Japan.
