Ineos Britannia had just crossed the finish line, 37 seconds and approximately 300 meters behind Emirates Team New Zealand in the ninth and final race of the America’s Cup, when their 47-year-old skipper Sir Ben Ainslie was asked about his plans for the next one. Within a couple of hours, Great Britain’s Royal Yacht Squadron had submitted a challenge, which the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron accepted. This means Ainslie and Britannia will return for the next qualifying series, though they are uncertain about the location, timing, and crew composition.

Ainslie has dedicated a significant portion of his career to winning the America’s Cup for Britain. It remains the only international sports trophy he and British sailing enthusiasts have yet to claim. Their pursuit dates back to the first race 173 years ago, when Aurora finished 18 minutes behind America. Ainslie, who first took the helm of a British challenge in 2007, has navigated through regattas in Valencia, Bermuda, Auckland, and now Barcelona, where New Zealand secured a 7-2 victory in the best-of-13 series.

To close the gap, Ainslie first needs more funding and is confident he can secure another partner alongside Sir Jim Ratcliffe to support the team. Additionally, he requires more time on the water, which is challenging as the challenger. “The Kiwis have been at this for 30 years,” Ainslie noted. “Their organization has only grown stronger. We’ve come a long way since our first campaign in Bermuda in 2017. Each time, we get closer.”

Ainslie and his team invested three and a half years in the latest campaign, ultimately wishing for an extra week of practice. The New Zealanders’ boat, Te Rehutai, was faster in the calm seas due to an additional month of configuration, allowing them to test various foils and settle on a design better suited to Barcelona’s conditions.

Dylan Fletcher, Ainslie’s co-helm, believes Britannia was catching up to Te Rehutai through their adjustments. “It feels like we’ve had a steeper learning curve in this America’s Cup,” he said. Fletcher also highlighted Ainslie’s unmatched skill in match racing, giving Britannia an edge in pre-starts. However, the New Zealanders’ superior speed and wind reading proved decisive.

Ainslie acknowledged the areas for improvement: “They were slightly faster, better at maneuvering, and more adept at reading the initial wind shift. That’s the level we must aim for.” While Ainslie suggested a few nights to recover, Fletcher was eager to resume immediately. “I’d happily go sailing now to keep implementing changes and prepare for the next Cup,” he said. The passion and dedication within Ineos’s 150-person team are palpable, and Ainslie’s relentless pursuit may one day be enough.

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