What's happened
Ineos Britannia, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, concluded their America's Cup campaign with a 7-2 defeat to Emirates Team New Zealand. Despite the loss, Ainslie expressed determination to return for the next challenge, emphasizing the need for more funding and experience on the water to improve their chances in future competitions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Ainslie stated, "We’re chasing them, and when I think back to our first campaign in Bermuda in 2017, we’ve come so far." This sentiment was echoed in The Independent, where Ainslie expressed gratitude for the support received, emphasizing that the journey is not over. The BBC noted that New Zealand's victory solidifies their position as the best team in America's Cup history, while Ainslie remains optimistic about future challenges, stating, "This isn’t going to be the end of the journey for us."
How we got here
Ineos Britannia was the first British team to compete in the America's Cup finals in 60 years, having qualified by defeating Italy in the Louis Vuitton Cup. The team aimed to break Britain's 173-year wait for the trophy, which has eluded them since the competition's inception.
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