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for us as sailors to have such high-performance
boats in the America’s Cup.”
Back in Japan, Softbank Corp and Kansai
Yacht Club helped make it possible for the
Japanese team to take part. “It is an honour for
the Kansai Yacht Club to try for the America’s
Cup for the first time,” says Commodore Ko
Watanabe of Kansai Yacht Club. “This is a
great challenge to take on, not just for our
club, but for the entire country. With support
from across the entire nation, I am sure we will
represent Japan with pride.”
And of course without the patronage of
Oracle Team USA (OTUSA), the opportunity
wouldn’t have happened.
“The relationship with OTUSA has been
fantastic,” says Barker. “SoftBank Team Japan
only got going in May 2015 and it has been
a huge push to not only get ready for the
ACWS, but to also build the infrastructure
and team to a level where we can get going
on our own. Without the assistance of
OTUSA it would not have been possible to
have our ACWS boat up and running, or the
assistance to get the team fully operational.
The relationship will continue to be beneficial
for both teams with the ability to train
together on the waters in Bermuda.”
SoftBank Team Japan was the third team to
open a base of operations at the competition
venue. “It’s a huge benefit to have our training
base located right on the future America’s Cup
venue,” says Fuku. “Especially with regards to
the sailing environment, what we learn each
day has been translating 100% directly into our
performance analysis.”
Not only did the team move to Bermuda
but their two Japanese sailors are making it
their new home following the three-month
crew search at the end of last year. Experienced
Olympic 470 sailor Yugo Yoshida, 31, has competed in numerous ISAF
Sailing World Championships as well as the 2012 London Olympics,
while competitive rower Yuki Kasatani, 26, comes with rowing
experience in Coxed Pair and Double Scull at the All Japan Cup events.
At the base, the pair has been putting in 12-hour days, six days a week,for more than five months. Yoshida’s new muscle and strength is making
him an ideal grinder/bowman.
“For me I’m really excited to see the two young Japanese sailors
as they keep improving their skills,” says Fuku. “They have the skills
on the water and they’re great athletes, they’re in the gym and also
sailing every day. However, there’s not much time until the real
racing starts so they need to work hard to make the best out of the
next year. If they can do that then our team will grow even stronger.”
“Yugo and Yuki have done exceptionally well,” says Barker. “The
progress they’ve made in the training on the test boat in Bermuda has
been great. Yugo came in with a great deal of sailing experience in his
own right and you can see that clearly when you go sailing with him.
We’re keen to keep developing our team and make sure we’re rotating
other sailors into our World Series lineup.”
Fuku affirms Dean’s impression of Yoshida. “It’s been incredible. The
way he’s learned so quickly and fit into the team; his attitude has been
incredible,” he says.
Yoshida joined as reserve crew at the New York racecs in May. “To get to
this point it’s been a lot of hard work, but hard work is good,” he says. “Every
day you have to have the right mental attitude to love the training and work.
I’m so happy to get my chance to come to New York with the team.”