Team Great Britain begin America's Cup Challenge
The final of the 37th famed sailing competition begins today
Last updated 12th Oct 2024
Sailing legend Sir Ben Ainsley, has said that skippering Britain to America's Cup sailing success for the first time would eclipse his achievements at the Olympics.
Ben Ainsley will lead team INEOS Britannia as they aim for their first victory in the competition since it began in 1851.
Having won the Louis Vuitton Cup, they are entitled to challenge team New Zealand for America's cup.
The competition takes its name from the vessel that won the original race around the isle of Wight, a nineteenth century racing yacht named America, in 1851.
Out-sailing the other boats in the race, she won the "One Hundred Sovereign Cup", which was then renamed after her, before being passed to the next winner.
In 2010, the competition introduced the acceptance of multi-hull boats, or catamarans.
The use of hydrofoils, that make the boats 'fly', were brought in, in 2013.
Hydrofoils come out of the water, therefore reducing drag, enabling the boats to travel faster, up to speeds of 54 knots.