Ainslie launches America’s Cup bid

Sir Ben Ainslie, a regular competitor in Bermuda over the years, yesterday announced his bid to win the America’s Cup.

Ainslie, who was last on island to contest the Argo Gold Cup, was the tactician who inspired Oracle’s incredible comeback over Team New Zealand in San Franciso in 2013.

He has a long-held ambition to win the historic trophy and officially launched Ben Ainslie Racing’s bid at the Royal Museum, Greenwich, accompanied by The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton.

The four-time Olympic gold medal winner Ainslie said in a press release: “This is the last great historic sporting prize never won by Great Britain. It has always been my ambition to mount a home challenge. The time is right and I am hugely encouraged by the support we are getting, not least from the Duchess of Cambridge. I learned a great deal aboard Oracle in San Francisco and I would not be challenging if I did not believe we have a real chance of winning this time.”

Sir Charles Dunstone, Chairman of BAR’s Board said: “This campaign is about righting a wrong. We have never won it. We have an amazing maritime history. The Cup has to come home, we have to do that.”