INEOS Britannia launches incredible new AC75 boat for first time ahead of 37th America’s Cup
INEOS Britannia's new race boat for the 37th America's Cup has set sail for the first time.
Olympic gold medallists Sir Ben Ainslie and Giles Scott were at the helm at the launch in Barcelona, Spain.
The British Challenger's AC75 will be racing for the first time off the coast of the city between 22 and 25 August.
The five challenging teams will then battle it out in The Louis Vuitton Cup.
The winner earns the right to take on defenders Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup match in October.
Sir Ben - the most successful Olympic sailor of all time - is INEOS Britannia's team principal and skipper.
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He said it "felt amazing" to be sailing the boat after years in development.
The 47-year-old added: "This is a momentous day for the entire team.
"Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get us to this point and I want to thank all involved for their effort and commitment.
"After years of design and development, it felt amazing to be out on the Barcelona waters in RB3.
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"We’ve spent a lot of time in our simulator recently, so it was great to be out there for real and putting all of our learnings into practice."
The INEOS Britannia team consists of 11 crew including Ainslie, Neil Hunter and Co.
Hunter said: "After a lot of time cycling in the gym and on the roads, it was a big milestone to be out on the boat.
"While our training has been cycling-focused, some of the new rowing recruits took part in sailing courses to get used to being on the water.
"Although the AC75 will be the first time on a foiling boat for the rowers in the team, we have the likes of Matt Gotrel, Freddie Carr, myself and Ben Cornish in the Cyclor squad who have spent a lot of time on these boats."
