British team eyes victory as they head into the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals with confidence
INEOS Britannia, the British challenger in the 37th America’s Cup, has selected Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) as their opponent in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final. After dominating the Round Robin stage, Ben Ainslie and his team earned the right to choose their rivals for this crucial knockout phase. The second Semi-Final will see Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli take on New York Yacht Club American Magic (USA). Both matchups promise intense racing as the first team to secure five wins in each pairing will advance to the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, the Challenger Selection Series that determines who will face the Cup Defender.
Ben Ainslie on the team’s selection of Alinghi: “It’s not a decision that we take lightly, with the whole team getting involved. The data analysts looking at the performance of different teams, we’re looking at the weather forecasts with the meteorologists... all of these things go into a decision.”
Arnaud Psarofaghis on facing INEOS Britannia: “I am quite pleased, actually, to race against INEOS Britannia. They showed great performance in the Round Robin, and if we want to win this thing, we need to learn from the best.”
Jimmy Spithill on the semi-final matchup: “We have a lot of respect for them... It will be one hell of a match and it’s why we do it. You want to go up against the world’s best.”
Tom Slingsby on preparing for Luna Rossa: “We’ve had a lot of really good races with them... we were back and forth a lot, so we believe we can do well in this match. It’s going to be a really exciting battle.”
Ben Ainslie on INEOS Britannia’s momentum: “Obviously, it’s a great position to be in, coming top of the Round Robins and choosing our opponent in the Semis, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
The Decision: Why Alinghi?
Choosing their Semi-Final opponent wasn’t a straightforward decision for Ainslie and his crew. Despite their strong performance in the Round Robins, including winning both races against Alinghi, Ainslie acknowledged that each team poses unique challenges.
“It was a tough decision. Every team has its strengths and weaknesses, particularly in varying conditions. We carefully reviewed the weather forecast for the Semi-Final period, which played a big part in our choice. Input from our sailing team, coaches, and performance analysts was crucial.”
- Ben Ainslie, Team Principal and Skipper of INEOS Britannia
The decision, finalized just hours before the announcement, was a strategic one. “We believe racing against Alinghi will be a solid test for us. It’s about continuing to learn and develop as we progress. We’re in a good position after topping the Round Robins, but we know there’s still a lot of work ahead,” Ainslie added.
A Round Robin Victory
INEOS Britannia’s journey to the Semi-Finals has been impressive. The British team finished at the top of the Round Robin leaderboard, securing wins in key matchups. They triumphed in both of their Round Robin races against Alinghi Red Bull Racing and earned two victories against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, including a tie-breaking sail-off. However, they did lose one race against American Magic, demonstrating that the competition remains fierce across the board.
By winning the Round Robin, INEOS Britannia not only got to select their Semi-Final opponent but also gained the advantage of choosing their starting side of the course and race order. Ainslie’s team opted for the starboard entry and the second race of the day, giving them time to analyze the first match between Luna Rossa and American Magic before heading into their own battle.
A Star-Studded Crew
As INEOS Britannia prepares to face Alinghi, Ainslie will be joined on the AC75 race boat, Britannia, by an experienced crew. Dylan Fletcher, Olympic gold medalist, will serve as Co-Helm, while Bleddyn Mon and Leigh McMillan will take on Trimmer roles. The team also includes a rotating group of Cyclors—sailors who generate power through cycling—ensuring the boat maintains peak performance during races. Among the Cyclor crew are top athletes like Ben Cornish, David ‘Freddie’ Carr, Matt Gotrel, Neil Hunter, and more.
This elite squad will need to be at the top of their game as they take on the Swiss challengers in what promises to be an intense Semi-Final matchup.
Looking Ahead: Focus on the Finals
Despite their current position of strength, Ainslie and his crew are cautious about overconfidence. “It’s great to be in a position where we can choose our opponent, but we’re staying focused on the job ahead,” Ainslie explained. “Our goal now is to get points on the board, make solid performance gains, and continue developing as a team.”
The stakes are high, and INEOS Britannia is acutely aware that the road to the America’s Cup is long and filled with obstacles. A win in the Semi-Final would put them one step closer to their ultimate goal of winning the America’s Cup for Great Britain.
The Races Begin
The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final kicks off on Saturday, 14 September, with two races for each pairing. INEOS Britannia will face off against Alinghi Red Bull Racing in their first race of the day.
With a seasoned crew, strategic planning, and a clear focus on improvement, INEOS Britannia is ready to take on Alinghi and push for a place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. The battle for the Cup is far from over, and the coming days will test their skill, endurance, and tactical brilliance.
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