America's Cup - Land Rover BAR tops leaderboard in Japan

by America's Cup Media on 21 Nov 2016 The first America's Cup racing in Asia proved a success on all levels. The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Fukuoka was the final event of nine in the Series. The results in Japan would determine the bonus points awarded for next year in Bermuda at the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers.

While four teams had a mathematical possibility of earning the points awarded to the top two finishers, in practical terms, Land Rover BAR, Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand were the three teams fighting for the top two positions.

In the end, it was Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR taking top spot in style, by winning the regatta, while Jimmy Spithill's Oracle Team USA fended off the Kiwis for second position on the series leaderboard.

“It’s been an incredible day of racing and for our team, Land Rover BAR, to come out on top here in Fukuoka, Japan finishing second in the final race of the series, winning the Fukuoka Round, and to win the overall Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Serie. That was our goal and to achieve that is special for us,' Ainslie said following the racing.

“We’re a new team and it’s a technically complex sport. You’re up against some great teams,' said Martin Whitmarsh, the CEO of Land Rover BAR. 'So to come into this and try to win – it’s hard. But it’s about a winning culture. If you set out to win everything then you build on that.”

While Land Rover BAR was the winner on the water, the way Japan embraced the America's Cup was a revelation.

“This weekend has completely exceeded all my expectations,' said Dean Barker, the skipper and CEO of SoftBank Team Japan.

'The number of people that have turned up, both in the Event Village and out on the water, and the genuine support for the team, it’s just really cool, especially when you consider that this team is only just over a year and a half old. We’ve not only quickly built up this following, we’ve also renewed interest in the America’s Cup and what it is now, so it’s been a fantastic experience.'

For Japan's Kazuhiko Sofuko, the Fukuoka event was an amazing homecoming, with 'Fuku' quickly becoming a household hero in his home country.

“I am really quite overwhelmed about how well this event has gone and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it happen,' he said, clearly emotional after a week of promotional appearances squeezed around his racing schedule.

'I also want to thank all the people who came out to support us and the event, it really has been incredible, everything. As I say, it is overwhelming to see how many people turned up, so thank you.”

Now that the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series has finished, attention now shifts to Bermuda. The next racing in the America's Cup will be the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers, starting May 26, 2017.