America's Cup - Softbank Team Japan signs with Yamaha

by America's Cup Media on 15 Oct 2015 America's Cup Challenger SoftBank Team Japan will partner with Japanese manufacturer Yamaha Motor in their bid to win the 35th America's Cup.

“We are really excited to have Yamaha Motor come on board as a partner of SoftBank Team Japan”, said team CEO and skipper Dean Barker. “With their focus on technology and development we share common values in what it takes to innovate and develop at the very top level.”

Yamaha Motor will be the exclusive provider of all the docks for the new team base area located at the Royal Naval Dockyards in Bermuda. This key infrastructure element will ensure the team is able to get on the water quickly to train once construction is finished in January.

Upon completion, the new team base will be furnished with Yamaha products and tools ensuring reliable and safe operations throughout the two-year challenge. Team members will also be equipped with their own Yamaha motor scooters, a necessary requirement for the narrow island roads in Bermuda.

Yamaha outboard engines will power the team's two new Rayglass chase boats. These support vehicles will play a critical role in SoftBank Team Japan's overall performance, technological development, and safety on the water during training and competition.

“To have access to a company like Yamaha Motor will be hugely beneficial for our team”, said Barker. “Yamaha has been a market leader in the marine industry for many years and I hope we can work together on different ideas as we look towards developing our own systems and technology.”

SoftBank Team Japan, supported by Kansai Yacht Club, is the Japanese challenger for the 2017 America's Cup to be raced in Bermuda. Dubbed the “oldest trophy in international sport”, the America's Cup is the pinnacle event in sail racing founded in 1851. SoftBank Team Japan is the first Japanese flagged team to challenge for the trophy since 2000.