According to the latest news, the Japanese are ready to compete for «the America's Cup» and intend to apply for participation at the end of April.
Dean Barker, who was recently scandalously stripped of his Team New Zealand seat, has been tipped to skipper the Japanese crew, with Softbank to sponsor the effort.
At the moment it is not clear when the crew will participate in his first race. «It is not excluded that May» warm-up race in Portsmouth will be skipped.
Recall that Japan has participated in America's Cup before: in 1992, 1995 and 2000. Twice, in 1992 and 1995, the team reached the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.
«The 35th America's Cup» will be played in 2017, preceded by the America's Cup World Series. Teams currently competing include Oracle Team USA, Team New Zealand, Ben Ainslie Racing, Team France and Artemis. Team Luna Rossa Challange has withdrawn from the race in protest against the downsizing of the catamarans.
