Britain’s attempt to recover the America’s Cup sailing trophy after 170 years has again ended in failure, this time on the opposite side of the world from where the Cup first slipped its grasp.
Ineos Team UK, skippered by Britain’s most celebrated competitive sailor, four-time Olympic gold-medalist Ben Ainslie, was beaten 7-1 by Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the final of the Prada Cup challengers series that ended off Auckland, New Zealand yesterday.
Luna Rossa will go on to race defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the 36th Cup match next month while Team UK will head home, eventually to reflect on the failure of a well-funded, talented but troubled campaign.
Britain first lost the famous “Auld Mug” in a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 against the New York Yacht Club schooner America, which gave the ornate silver ewer its name. Vast fortunes have been expended since in Britain’s pursuit of the trophy but all have been fruitless.
“Everyone knows Britain’s never won the America’s Cup,” Ainslie said. “It started off around the Isle of Wight and it’s one event we’ve never won in sport. AP
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