Sir Ben Ainslie and INEOS Britannia to contend for place in America’s Cup final

Lymington’s Sir Ben Ainslie and the INEOS Britannia team defeated Alinghi Red Bull Racing to secure its spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup final.

It is the second consecutive time they have made the Challenger Selection Series final, during which they will contend with Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli for a place in the America’s Cup final.

If successful, they will take on reigning champions Emirates Team New Zealand.

INEOS Britania, funded by New Forest billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, picked up a hard-fought victory over Alinghi on a lumpy sea state in marginal wind conditions that made boat handling and manoeuvres tough.

After losing the opening four races, Alinghi Red Bull Racing narrowed the series scoreline to 4-2, with five race victories needed to triumph.

However, a much-improved performance in the second race of the day saw Sir Ben’s team regain their form and record an 83-second win, with Britannia looking back to her best.

Speaking afterwards, Sir Ben, skipper of INEOS Britannia, who was honoured with the Freedom of Beaulieu River by Lord Montagu in 2021, exuded relief having got his British team over the line, saying: “It was a tough final couple of days in the lighter conditions. Hats off to Alinghi Red Bull Racing; they really pushed us hard in those lighter conditions, and it was a rough day today where the wind was up and down a lot, a nasty sea state.

“A tough test for all of the teams, but I’m delighted for our team, for all the hard work and effort to get us to this point.”

Sir Ben, in whose honour a post box in Lymington was painted gold in 2012 to recognize his outstanding achievements in the London Games, is the most successful Olympic sailor in history.

He secured medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, clinching gold in successive Games in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London between 2000 and 2012.

INEOS Britannia will now face Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, who defeated NYYC American Magic in their semi-final, in a first-to-seven series which starts on 26th September.

Sir Ben, the first-ever freeman of Lymington and Pennington after his London 2012 Olympics heroics, added: “We are happy and relieved to have secured our place in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, and are looking forward to the final. Our hard work has paid off so far, but it all starts over again now, and we will concentrate on preparing for the final.”

The America’s Cup is the oldest international sports competition still operating, with INEOS Britannia vying to make history as the first British crew to win.