SoftBank Team Japan will get the opportunity to race on home waters after organizers confirmed that <a 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