Ineos Britannia provide first glimpse of boat
Ineos Team Britannia have provided the first look of the boat they believe can challenge Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup after two-and-a-half-years of design, build and fit-out.
The 75ft vessel, code-named RB3, emerged from the darkness at the team’s in Barcelona in the wee hours of Saturday morning local time for rig stepping and checking in preparation for its first sail.
The major talking point from the reveal was the boat’s hull form.
What Ineos have gone for is a step-on from their prototype boat ‘T6’ with a voluminous, integrated bustle in the bow with a small chine leading back along the keel-line to a razor-sharp edged lower bustle that stops a few feet from the stern.
RB3 features a colour-scheme not too dissimilar to that of Emirates Team New
Zealand, featuring black, silver and red livery.
“This is a big day for the team,” skipper Sir Ben Ainslie said.
“We have been keeping RB3 under wraps for such a long time that it’s almost surreal to see her out of the shed and in public view here in Barcelona.
“Thousands of hours of work have gone into this boat and so it’s great to finally reveal her to the world.
“Things are really stepping up in the campaign now, and we are looking forward to launching RB3 and getting out on the water very soon.”
Ineos Britannia will compete with four other challengers in the Louis Vuitton Cup between August and October.
Team New Zealand will defend the Auld Mug against the winner of the challenger series in the final match race from October 12-21.