Portugal Colonial - Australia unveil Slingsby-led elite team for America's Cup challenge

Australia will be one of six countries competing for the chance to challenge holders New Zealand in Naples next year for the Auld Mug, first awarded in 1851.

British, Italian, French, Swiss and American teams will also be in contention.

Joining Slingsby are Luke Parkinson, Tash Bryant, Tom Needham, Jason Waterhouse, Sam Newton and Kinley Fowler.

Collectively, the group has four Olympic Games appearances, nine America's Cup campaigns, 24 world championship titles and 13 SailGP titles between them.

It reunites three members of Oracle Team USA's victorious 2013 America's Cup crew -- Slingsby, Newton and Fowler.

"We set out to bring together the strongest possible Australian sailing team, and I believe we have done just that," said head of sailing Slingsby.

"We have proven winners alongside some of Australia's most exciting emerging foiling and technical talent. Each sailor brings a different strength, from racecraft and flight control to engineering, systems and campaign experience."

Australia ended the United States' 132-year dominance of the race in 1983, widely agreed to be the longest winning streak in sporting history, but their last appearance was in 2000.

Next year's America's Cup, the first since the event switched to a two-year cycle, will include a number of innovations including the necessity to have at least one woman in each crew.

The boats will also use battery-powered systems, placing greater emphasis on sailing skill, strategy and flight control.

The Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series is in May, with the successful winner progressing to the America's Cup match in July.

R.Veloso--PC