The organisers for the 37th America's Cup have extended an invitation to the Société nautique de Saint-Tropez and their representative team, K-Challenge Racing, to participate in the 2024 Barcelona competition. Led by Stephane Kandler and Bruno Dubois, the French team's challenge has been accepted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
CEO of K-Challenge Racing Stephane Kandler said of the news: "Bruno and I are very excited to join the other Challengers. 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.”
Stephane Kandler and Bruino Dubois will lead the K-Challenge Racing team at the 2024 America's Cup Credit: K-Challenge Racing
K-Challenge has not participated in the America's Cup since 2007 at the 32nd edition held in Valencia.
“It is great to have the French now back in the America’s Cup as the 5th 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," said Grant Dalton, CEO of AC37 Event Limited. "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.”
Credit: Sailing Energy American Magic
Holding the event in Barcelona means the city will become the first venue to host both an Olympic Games and an America's Cup. In addition, the 2024 event will be the first edition to incorporate a dedicated Women's America's Cup regatta. Dates for the 37th America's Cup were announced earlier this year, with two races scheduled on each of the four official racing days.
