Ainslie all at sea as his team flail

SIR BEN AINSLIE’S chances of winning next year’s America’s Cup were dented after his Team Ineos UK crew failed to register a point in their qualifier in New Zealand.

The well-funded British team, with Ainslie skippering, finished winless after six races.

The 43-year-old, whose team were beset with technical issues on Thursday, had fared better on Friday and the former Olympic champion was hoping to come out all guns blazing yesterday.

But they were well beaten by both the Italians and the Americans, as teams jostle for the right to take on Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup in March.

‘Taking a beating like that is pretty hard to take so we will go away, re-group and keep our heads up,’ said Ainslie.