China Team sign up for 34th America’s Cup

China Team, the first Chinese squad to have taken part in the America’s Cup, will take part in the 34th edition of the yachting challenge.

China Team, who have the full support of the Chinese government, are the eighth challenger for the 34th America’s Cup, and will compete in the Challengers Series Louis Vuitton Cup in a bid to reach the America’s Cup final in San Francisco during the summer of 2013.

“All boats need to be designed by the team, and built in country,” said China Team chairman Wang Chao Yong.

“We have been working with some of the best worldwide designers for hull and wings for a few months already, in partnership with top Chinese universities.

“This is an opportunity to showcase China’s talents in the leading-edge hi-tech areas of both hydrodynamics and aeronautics. Our boat will then be built in China, and ready to sail by February 2012.”

China Team, who finished in last place in their maiden America’s Cup campaign in 2007, will be racing a wing-sailed multihull.

“This America’s Cup will feature the best sailors on the fastest boats, so we’re very happy to be part of this adventure with China Team, a boat which will truly represent China, as most sailors will be Chinese,” Wang said.

Richard Worth, chairman of the America’s Cup event authority, added: “We are very pleased to welcome our eighth challenger, China Team, to the 34th America’s Cup.

“China Team makes a wonderful addition, bringing another continent of athletes into our international field of strong competitors, as well as a very powerful market to add to the commercial strength of the 34th America’s Cup.”