On Friday morning, just hours ahead of the challenge deadline, United Internet Team Germany became the 10th Challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup.

Willy Kuhweide, Commodore of the Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club, arrived in Valencia on Thursday night with his challenge dossier, and with all the necessary paperwork in order and fees paid, his challenge has today been accepted by the Société Nautique de Genève, the Defending yacht club.

“The first serious German campaign is now on its way to the starting line of the first America’s Cup to take place in Europe,” Commodore Kuhweide said. The team is supported by United Internet, a German internet service provider.

This will be the first German challenge to sail for the America’s Cup in its 154-year history. United Internet Team Germany, (formerly known as the ‘Fresh 17’ proj ect) will be led on the water by Danish skipper Jesper Bank, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and previous America’s Cup skipper in 2002/2003 with Victory Challenge.