Germany is sending a boat to the challenger series for the 2007 America's Cup, entering the 154-year-old competition for the first time ever.
Germany's team, provisionally named Fresh 17, will be officially called United Internet Team Germany. The team submitted an application Friday morning in Valencia, Spain, just before the deadline for entries expired.
The skipper for the German syndicate will be Jesper Bank of Denmark, an Olympic champion who was aboard the Swedish 2003 American's Cup challenger Victory Challenge.
The next America's Cup will have 11 challengers from nine countries, including a first-ever entry from China, announced last month.
The man most identified with the oldest trophy in international sports, American Dennis Connor, said Thursday he would not have a team in the competition for the first time in 30 years because of the high cost.
The America's Cup is held by the Swiss syndicate Alinghi and the 2007 event will be staged in Valencia, Spain.
Some information for this report provided by AP.