Ben Ainslie and Ineos Team UK bounce back from string of defeats to win Prada Cup openers

Ben Ainslie and Ineos Team UK bounced back from six successive warm-up race losses to win their opening two races of the Prada Cup in New Zealand on Friday. 

The British America’s Cup challenger had been off the pace leading into the Prada Cup, the winner of which gets to take on Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup itself in March. 

But on the opening day of the Prada Cup, Ineos Team UK won both races against American Magic and Luna Rossa, the latter skippered by Jimmy Spithill with whom Ainslie had previously won the America’s Cup over the Kiwis after overcoming an 8-1 deficit. 

After the double race win in Auckland, Ainslie said: “It feels a lot better than six losses or whatever it was. We left it a bit late, nice to find the pace when it counts on time in this breeze. 

“It was a team effort and I have got to say our entire team back on the dockyards: the designers, the engineers, the shore team, the boat buildings, they have three epic weeks working to turn this boat around.

“So this is for them and for our friends at Mercedes GP. As I said to the boys, we are a long way out of the woods yet. It’s just a couple of good races but it’s time to make the most of the momentum now.” 

With Ineos Team UK not having won a race since arriving in New Zealand, the pressure was on Ainslie, as both boats made a perfect start in race one.

But the British were able to pull clear by using the greater wind on the right-hand side of the course to cross the line one minute and 20 seconds clear. 

With the wind building for race too – and the higher winds suiting the design of the British boat – Ainslie, guided by tactician Giles Scott, got off to an ideal start and pulled 15 seconds clear by the top gate. 

Luna Rossa stayed in contention throughout and finished less than half a minute back at the close.  

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