NEWS FEED
After a stunning final day performance from Land Rover BAR, they took the ultimate round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) in Japan on Sunday to become 2015-2016 ACWS champions.
They did it with a race to spare, creating a sufficient buffer that they could focus on winning the event in the final race.
Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Team Principal said, “It was an amazing day for the team because our core goal was to win the overall series, that is what we came here to do. To achieve that and come out on top in the final event to get four regatta wins in the overall series, that is a huge achievement from a completely new team.”
The extraordinary season has seen consistent performances by Land Rover BAR. In nine events, the team has only been off the podium twice. The World Series win means that the team will take two vital bonus points into the next round of the competition, the America’s Cup Qualifiers, starting 26 May 2017 in Bermuda.
Sir Ben added, “Two-and-a-half years ago we had absolutely nothing, so what we have achieved in building the team, the infrastructure and this performance in the World Series is something we should all be incredibly proud of – but at the same time it’s just one step in our journey to the America’s Cup.
“Our objective was to get the two bonus points and we’ve got that, and now the focus is clearly on the race boat and the performance next summer in Bermuda.
“We will be straight into training in Bermuda and getting best prepared for the America’s Cup to try and bring it home after 167 years of hurt.”
