Shrewd Ainslie raises the BAR
SIR BEN AINSLIE ruled the waves in front of thousands of fans yesterday as his Land Rover BAR team won two out of three races on day one of the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth.
After a shaky start in which the British boat finished fifth out of six in the opening race, Ainslie stormed to two wins.
‘I was pleased with the way we regrouped for the final two races,’ said Ainslie. ‘We fought hard and kept going to come away with two wins and to top the day in such difficult conditions at our home event was a great effort.’
The day had started poorly, however, for the four-time Olympic champion.
It was perfect weather for watching, which had brought the crowds out in their thousands to line the shore at Southsea — but the light winds were far from ideal for the sailors. Ainslie and his team crossed the line in fifth place with the skipper admitting: ‘We got caught out. It was very frustrating.’
But Britain’s greatest ever Olympic sailor then showed his true class and had the Union Jacks waving on the beaches as he delivered back-to-back wins.
In the second race, Land Rover BAR sailed a superb second leg and pulled away while a brilliant tactical move on leg three of the third race ensured a second triumph.
Their 26-point haul on the day took them to the top of the standings alongside France.
‘It was a day to keep your eyes open and keep fighting all the way because there were always opportunities to gain and lose,’ said Ainslie. ‘You could never feel secure, you always had to be alert to the changing conditions.
‘We got it spot on in the last race so that was really pleasing.’
There are three more races in Portsmouth today with double points awarded. The World Cup series then goes to France in September and Japan in November.
One winning boat will eventually emerge to challenge defending champions, Oracle Team USA, for the America’s Cup next June.