America’s Cup: Ben Ainslie splits from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Britannia sailing team
Four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie has split from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Britannia America’s Cup sailing team.
Ainsley, 47, It is said, external Tensions with Manchester United co-owner Ratcliffe over plans for the next America’s Cup led to their parting ways.
Ainslie is the team leader and captain of the Ineos Britannia team. Endorsed by Ratcliffe in 2018 Aiming to give Britain its first victory in the yacht race since it began in 1851.
Ineos said in a statement that they were unable to agree “terms going forward” with Ainslie following last year’s event in Barcelona. New Zealand wins.
Ineos plans to compete in the next America’s Cup under the name Britannia.
Ainsley’s team responded by saying they were “shocked” by Ineos’ future plans for the America’s Cup, which “posed significant legal and practical obstacles for them”.
Following the split, Ainsley’s America’s Cup team will be renamed Athena Racing.
Ratcliffe did not mention the disagreement with Ainsley directly in the Ineos statement but said he was “extremely proud” to have “developed a truly competitive British boat for the first time in decades”.
Ainsley has won medals at five consecutive Olympic Games since 1996, including four consecutive Olympic gold medals from 2000 to 2012.
Ainslie has been aiming to win the America’s Cup for Britain since winning gold at the London Olympics in 2012, but all his attempts on British boats, including those backed by Ineos, have ended in disappointment.
