The America's Cup has welcomed aboard its fourth challenging syndicate for Auckland 2021.
According to sailing website Scuttlebutt, Italian syndicate Sardinia Challenge will join Challenger of Record Luna Rossa, Ineos Team UK, and American Magic in a bid to dethrone the Kiwis.
Backed by the Sardinia Government, the team will be led by Duccio Colombi. The Italian has a host of yachting accolades to his name, including two European Championships and four World Championships.
"The Government of Sardinia has given the challenge the use of the almost unused G8 summit facilities on the island of Maddalena as a training base until mid-2020; the headquarters will be in Olbia. The whole effort will be transferred to Auckland in New Zealand during 2020," the team said in a statement.
Their ultimate goal is to bring the quest for the Auld Mug to the Mediterranean.
''Can you just imagine the America's Cup being held around the Costa Smeralda at the height of the cruising season in 2025? It would be a fantastic event and easily accessible for the whole Superyacht industry to participate in and enjoy.
"Teams could be entered from Palma, Malta, Monaco etc etc. A new light would shine on the America's Cup."
Newshub.