Ainslie vs. Spithill: Old Teammates and now Rivals Face Off with America's Cup Dreams on the Line
“To win the America’s Cup, first you have to win the Louis Vuitton Cup.” That iconic phrase sums up the high stakes as the two top Challengers battle it out for a shot at the 37th America’s Cup. The legacy of this legendary competition, stretching back 173 years, is now on the line.
Today, the helmsmen of INEOS Britannia and Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli—both finalists in the 2021 Cup—faced the world’s media at Barcelona’s World Trade Centre. Their goal? Securing the coveted spot to take on Emirates Team New Zealand, the reigning America’s Cup champions.
The format is simple: the first team to rack up seven points wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and the newly designed trophy, setting the stage for a head-to-head with the Kiwis.
Before the press conference, the four sailors posed with the Louis Vuitton Cup at the breathtaking Palau de la Música Catalana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The smiles for the cameras won’t last long, though. As soon as the racing begins, the tension will ramp up between these two seasoned rivals.
Sir Ben Ainslie and Jimmy Spithill—former teammates who won the Cup in 2013—now face off as adversaries. Flanked by their co-helms Dylan Fletcher and Francesco Bruni, they shared the stage, separated only by the shimmering Louis Vuitton Cup trophy.
“The Louis Vuitton Cup has a huge history in the America’s Cup, and we all know that as a Challenger, if you’re going to get to the Cup, you’ve got to get this one in your locker room. That’s what we’re all fighting for. It's a great opportunity for both our teams, and we’re really excited for what’s ahead.”
Sir Ben Ainslie
Neither team has ever won the America’s Cup. For Great Britain, it’s been a long 173 years since the competition’s inception in British waters, and Ainslie is laser-focused on changing that: “We all know the history. For us, we’re a proud maritime nation, and the Cup famously started around the Isle of Wight, yet we’ve never seen it since. That’s our motivation.”
Fletcher, an Olympic gold medallist making his America’s Cup debut, reflected the confidence swelling within INEOS Britannia: “Momentum is building. It’s been a lifelong dream to be part of a British America’s Cup team. Sitting here in the Challenger final is amazing, and I definitely feel like we have the legs to go all the way.”
On the Italian side, Francesco Bruni spoke of the deep-rooted passion for the Cup:
“We all know that in Italy, the America’s Cup is a dream. We’ve been chasing it for many years—even before I was born. We have a chance now, and we need to use this ‘bullet.’”
Francesco Bruni
Spithill acknowledged Luna Rossa’s tough road to the final, but praised their opponents, saying: “The Brits have done a great job, especially with the jump they’ve made from the Preliminary Regatta to now. I expect a fight between two evenly matched teams—and that’s what you want. The goal is to send the Challenger into the Cup final against the Kiwis, battle-ready.”
The word of the day? Pressure. Both teams are eager for their shot at Emirates Team New Zealand. Spithill put it in perspective, acknowledging the intensity: “I think pressure is a privilege. We feel excitement and good energy. It’s not a burden—it’s motivation. Our fans, the ‘Tifosi,’ bring incredible support, and we use that as an advantage. It’s part of the dream for all of us.”
As the first race approaches on September 26, weather forecasts predict brisk 15-17 knot winds, but the wild card could be the sea conditions. Ainslie seemed up for the challenge, saying, “Looks good, looks really good. Top end, potentially. There’s some uncertainty with the wind and sea-state, but it should be all on.”
Game On.
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