France confirms entry to 37th America’s Cup

The 37th America’s Cup has revealed a surprise new-year addition, after the French team K-Challenge Racing, representing the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez yacht club, joined as the event’s fifth challenger.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning (3 January 2023), the America’s Cup organisers confirmed the French challenge would be led by experienced cup campaigners Stephan Kandler (France) and Bruno Dubois (Canada/Belgium) – the duo behind the France SailGP Team.

Their challenge was previously accepted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and they have now chosen to formally announce their entry and confirm they are ready to proceed with their campaign.

“Bruno and I are very excited to join the other challengers,” says Kandler. “We have been working behind the scenes for almost a year now and we are going to announce great things by the end of this month.”

CEO of AC37, Grant Dalton, adds: “It is great to have the French now back in the America’s Cup as the fifth Challenger, and one that will no doubt bring a lot of typical character and flair to what is lining up to be a stunning event in Barcelona.

“France is such a prominent sailing nation, but despite this, it is not a small undertaking to get an America’s Cup team up and running so I congratulate Stephane, Bruno and the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez who have been working away tirelessly to get to this point.”

K-Challenge last challenged for the America’s Cup for the 32nd edition in Valencia in 2007. A full announcement on this and the team’s plans around building an AC75 is expected later in January.

With two years left to go until the 37th America’s Cup takes place in Barcelona, organisers have recently confirmed further details of the event format, including the agreed race area and 2024 dates.

Racing in the America’s Cup Match itself, which will be a best-of-13 (first to seven) format, will commence on Saturday 12 October, with two races scheduled, followed by a further two races on Sunday 13 October 2024.