Australia has entered its first 'America's Cup' team in 25 years, for the 38th edition next year of the historic sailing competition in Naples, Italy.

The Royal 'Prince Edward Yacht club announced on Wednesday that it had issued a notice of?Challenge? to the defending New Zealand Yacht Squadron. This bid was backed by John Winning Jr., a local businessman who skippered the supermaxi Andoo Comanche to line honours at the 2022 Sydney-to-Hobart bluewater classic.

Tom Slingsby will be joining Team Australia in the role of head of sailing. Three-time America’s Cup winner Glenn Ashby has been named as the head of performance and designs, according to the yacht club.

Sven Runow, Commodore of the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, said to its members that "the challenge represents Australia on the world stage and continues our proud tradition in sailing's premier competition."

John Bertrand's Australia II ended in 1983 the New York Yacht Club's stranglehold on the America's Cup Trophy, which had lasted 132 years.

The club named Grant?Simmer as the chief executive officer of Team Australia.

Australia has not competed in the Louis Vuitton Cup since 2000, when the Young Australia syndicate bid was led by Jimmy Spithill.

Slingsby added that the new chapter in Australian sailing was a long-held dream.

Ashby said that the team will use "modern engineering tools, simulations and performance optimization" in order to be ready for competition in Naples at the beginning of next year.

Ashby, who led New Zealand to victories in past America's Cup competitions, said in a press release: "For more than half of my?sailing?career, I have dreamed to see an Australian?team return to this pinnacle event?of our sport?"of sailing.

For the first time ever, the rules of the competition will require that teams compete for the "Auld Mug", in AC75 monohull foiling boats.

Tash Bryant, Team Australia's sailor, said that it was "an exciting new age" for the America's Cup. The first America's Cup race took place off the south coast of England in 1851.

She added, "The evolution in the boats and competitions is opening up broader opportunities for women to be visible and successful in elite sailing while also providing clearer paths for younger generations who come through the sport." Reporting by Ian Ransom and Alexander Smith, both in Melbourne; Editing and production by Peter Rutherford & Toby Davis

(source: Reuters)