America’s Cup: Sir Ben Ainslie intends to resume Britannia challenge, but future uncertain

Sunday, 20 October 2024

After losing the Barcelona decider to Team NZ, the British sailor was coy on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe's future involvement would look like.

Sir Ben Ainslie might have sailed in the America’s Cup for the last time after losing to a Team New Zealand campaign he said was “the best” in its long, storied history.

The Britannia helmsman was nonetheless determined to resume his team’s pursuit of the Auld Mug, something Great Britain has never won. No nation in its 173-year history has had more unsuccessful challenges.

Barcelona’s regatta was another – Britain’s first crack at the trophy for 60 years – and it ended with a 7-2 defeat once their match race against the superior Kiwi boat finished on Sunday (NZ time).

Ainslie all but confirmed his team would be Team NZ’s challenger of record for the next Cup cycle, which was expected, but he was less sure of his position on their boat.

Sir Ben Ainslie speaking to Team NZ helmsman Peter Burling after his British team lost the America’s Cup match race in Barcelona.

“I don't know,” he told Stuff.

“It's too early to say. I'm getting on a little bit, but I honestly don't know.

“The most important thing is that we get the best team moving forwards.”

The 47-year-old was also unclear on the position of the team’s billionaire backer, INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has bankrolled their campaigns in Barcelona and Auckland.

Ainslie said Ratcliffe, whose INEOS sporting group incorporates Manchester United and the Mercedes Formula One team, was committed to supporting them, but he wasn’t yet sure in what capacity.

Curiously, Ainslie wasn’t wearing an INEOS-branded shirt. He has done for every media interview throughout Barcelona’s regatta. Dylan Fletcher, his co-helm, was sporting the branding of Ratcliffe’s chemical company giant in interviews on Sunday (NZ time).

“Jim and INEOS have been fantastic backers for the last two campaigns,” Ainslie said.

“They’re committed to supporting the team for the future. Quite what their level of support is, we've got to figure out.

“They're keen now to learn to find other backers, be that commercial or private backers, to come in and and support the team, which is not unusual in the America's Cup, to sort that burden.

Britannia’s billionaire backer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, shaking hands with Peter Burling.

“In the UK, we've got a huge amount of potential.”

Ainslie, who sailed with Team NZ in Valencia in 2007, was a tactician when Oracle Team USA recorded their infamous comeback win over the Kiwis in San Francisco in 2013. He is one of the sport’s biggest names and the most successful sailor in Olympic history.

He established a genuine British team in 2014. They reached the challenger semifinals in Bermuda (2017) and Auckland (2021) and went a step further to ensure Britain had a boat in the match race for the first time since 1964.

He said he would remain involved, on or off the boat.

Team New Zealand beat Britannia 7-2 in the match race

“I put this team together 10 years ago with a goal to win the Cup. I'm not the kind of guy that sets out a goal and just lets it go. The team are going to keep going,” Ainslie said.

Ainslie and the British crew were down by the harbour congratulating and sharing beers with Team NZ in Barcelona. It was time to relax. This was, after all, their best effort in 90 years after seeing off the highly fancied Italians, Luna Rossa, in the relentless challenger final.

Before the match race, Ainslie said the defending Kiwis would always be favourites. He said they pushed them hard but couldn’t compete for long enough.

“We were up against the best team in the history of the Cup,” Ainslie said.

“You can't say anything but congratulations to Team NZ and what an incredible achievement to win three in a row.

“It’s always a battle in the America’s Cup. It’s this development versus ingenuity and the time equation you’ve got to get right.

“They’ve been in this game 30-35 years, and that shows, the efficiency, the ingenuity and toughness. It’s been a great opportunity to get to this level.”