Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Team UK secure place in final qualifiers for the America’s Cup

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Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Team UK secure place in final qualifiers for the America’s Cup despite major technical issue

  • The Cunningham broke and a final-leg collision was luckily just prevented 
  • Ben Ainslie hailed the race as being one of the ‘amazing’ he’d ever taken part in
  •  Ineos Team UK will face American Magic or Luna Rossa in Challenger series final

By Mail on Sunday Reporter

Published: | Updated:

Ben Ainslie moved a race nearer a shot at America’s Cup glory yesterday, after defying a major technical issue to secure his place in next month’s final qualifier.

The skipper of Britain’s Ineos Team UK edged the Italian boat Luna Rossa in what Ainslie hailed as one of the most ‘amazing’ races he’d ever been involved in.

And victory in Auckland was all the more remarkable because a key piece of equipment, the Cunningham —which changes the shape of the sail — had broken, while a final-leg collision was only just averted.

 Ben Ainslie receives the Christmas Cup after Ineos Team UK’s victory in the round robins

Ainslie will now face American Magic or Luna Rossa in the Challenger Series final to decide who will take on Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup in March.

‘It was one of the most amazing races I’ve ever been involved in,’ said Ainslie.