America’s Cup: Dean Barker named CEO, skipper of SoftBank Team Japan

America’s Cup challenger SoftBank Team Japan will be led by Dean Barker (NZL), who has been appointed skipper and CEO of the Japanese team. Barker brings over 15 years of America’s Cup experience to the Japanese team, including having sailed in four America’s Cup Matches.

“This is an incredible opportunity to build a new team from the ground up,” Barker said from Bermuda where he and team general manager Kazuhiko ‘Fuku’ Sofuku (JPN) have been meeting with officials for the 35th America’s Cup.

“It’s an honour to take on the responsibility of both CEO and skipper of SoftBank Team Japan,” Barker continued. “We’re filling the key roles on the team as quickly as we can. I think we’re pulling together a very strong team. We want to compete at the head of the fleet and we’re assembling a team that is capable of doing that. Our goal is to win the America’s Cup.”

SoftBank Team Japan was confirmed as a challenger earlier this month. The team has a big job list ahead as it prepares to race at the first America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth in July.

“In the short term, our job is to be ready to compete in Portsmouth,” said Fuku. “Then, our focus will shift to trialling more Japanese sailors as we continue to build and develop our team.”

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Dean Barker in the America’s Cup
1995 – trains with Team New Zealand
2000 – America’s Cup winner with Team New Zealand, helming the deciding race
2003 – skipper, unsuccessful defence of America’s Cup with Team New Zealand
2007 – skipper, winner, Louis Vuitton Cup
2013 – skipper, winner, Louis Vuitton Cup

Source: America’s Cup media