INEOS Britannia’s 37th America’s Cup Challenge Concludes in Barcelona
by INEOS Britannia 19 Oct 12:11 PDT
19 October 2024
Ben Ainslie speaks with Peter Burling post-race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, concluded its campaign to capture the 37th America’s Cup with a 7-2 loss to the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand.
This defeat marked the end of a remarkable journey for Britain, with INEOS Britannia being the first British team to ever win an America’s Cup Challenger Series, the first in 60 years to compete in the America’s Cup Match, and the first British yacht in 90 years to score points in the Match. These milestones set new benchmarks for British sailing in the America’s Cup.
The ninth race began with INEOS Britannia taking control at the start. Emirates Team New Zealand had to tack away but managed to find a favorable shift to gain the lead. The Kiwis executed flawlessly in the second leg, extending their lead to 360m. On the third leg, INEOS Britannia closed in rapidly, narrowing the gap to just 1m, but Ainslie and his crew couldn’t overtake before the third mark. The British team stayed close until the penultimate leg when the Kiwis pulled away, finishing first and achieving a three-peat, thus ending INEOS Britannia’s America’s Cup aspirations.
In the aftermath, Team Principal and Skipper Ben Ainslie remarked:
“First off, we extend our congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand. They raced an exceptional series and have now dominated the event with their third consecutive win, solidifying their status as the greatest America’s Cup team ever.
I’m immensely proud of our team’s efforts; their hard work and resolve over this three-year campaign have been extraordinary. We’ve been pushing for a decade now, and this campaign showcased the most significant improvement. Compared to teams like Emirates Team New Zealand, with 35 years of experience in this competition, it’s clear that continuous learning and development are key to success.
Our team’s ambition has always been to win and defend the America’s Cup for Britain, a goal that remains unchanged. We plan to stay in Barcelona to continue nurturing our Athena Pathway Youth and Women’s teams, reinforcing our commitment to Britain’s future in the America’s Cup.
Jim, John, Andy, and the entire INEOS group have been fantastic supporters across two campaigns. Partnering with Mercedes F1 has greatly benefitted us and advanced our technical development for AC37.
My focus is on propelling this team forward and maintaining momentum. We’ve improved again, but so has the rest of the field. We are all striving to catch up to Emirates Team New Zealand, and we are drawing closer each time. The mission to bring the Cup home continues.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, stated: “Looking back over the last eight weeks, we are all proud of what Sir Ben Ainslie and the team have accomplished. It’s undeniable there have been challenges; an emotional rollercoaster for sure! But that’s what makes sports so thrilling. We’ve witnessed Ben and the team analyze data, optimize technology, and refine sailing strategies to enhance performance race by race. This progress reflects the unwavering commitment from all team members in Barcelona and Brackley; a monumental effort to be proud of.”
