Cup backing
Sir Ben Ainslie has formed INEOS Team GB to fund second America’s Cup challenge.
27 April 2018
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Sir Ben Ainslie, who will lead the design and build boat programme and skipper the racing yacht, will attempt to bring the Auld Mug back to Britain for the first time since 1851.
INEOS Team GB will represent the Royal Yacht Squadron’s affiliated club, Royal Yacht Squadron Racing who issued the challenge to the current holder represented by Emirates Team New Zealand.
INEOS, one of UK’s and the world’s largest petrochemicals and manufacturing companies, is committed to spending £110 million for the campaign.
Jim Ratcliffe, founder and chairman of INEOS, says, “INEOS has taken on many serious projects in the past but none more exciting than this. We have a first-class team and will do everything we can to bring this trophy back to Britain where it belongs.”
INEOS has partnered with Sir Ben Ainslie and his team to design, build and race the two-boat strategy. The AC75 foiling mono-hulls will present their own unique challenge when construction gets underway.
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Sir Ben is Britain’s most decorated and the world’s most successful Olympic sailor. He was a member of the 2013 America’s Cup winning team and is INEOS Team GB’s Team Principal.
Sir Ben says, “This is an amazing boost for British sport.
With this significant commitment from INEOS to fully fund a two boat challenge, Britain now has its best opportunity to bring the America’s Cup back home to Britain where it belongs.”
INEOS Team GB’s CEO is America’s Cup legend, Grant Simmer, who has competed in 10 America’s Cups and won four, first as a young navigator aboard Alan Bond’s Australia II, then twice with the Swiss team, Alinghi, and most recently with Oracle Team USA where – along with Ben Ainslie – they fought back from an 8 -1 deficit to win the trophy.
INEOS Team GB’s Chief Designer is New Zealander, Nick Holroyd, one of the men responsible for Emirates New Zealand’s Cup winning strategy. He is joined by British Olympic gold medallist, Giles Scott, who will act as the team’s Tactician.
James Sheldon, the Royal Yacht Squadron Commodore says, “The America’s Cup is undoubtedly the most important yachting trophy in the world and we are delighted that Royal Yacht Squadron Racing is supporting INEOS Team GB in its attempt to bring it back home.”
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