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Britannia Rules the Waves

Rule, Britannia! Team Land Rover BAR celebrates their win in the latest Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event.

© 2016 Ricardo Pinto / ACEA

The sun may have set on the glorious heyday of the British Empire, but the Brits still rule their own waters. It really was Super Sunday for Sir Ben Ainslie and Land Rover BAR, whose results in Sunday’s three races gave them the overall regatta win at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth event this weekend.

On hot, sunny Saturday, in light, difficult breeze, Land Rover BAR recovered from a poor first race result to win the next two contests and complete the day at the top of the leaderboard.

The winds on Sunday presented the teams with perfect conditions for the AC45F cats to foil, thrilling the tens of thousands of fans who lined the Portsmouth shore. The British team used local knowledge and the cheers of the crowd to propel them to victory in race one. At the start of race two it was Oracle Team USA who seized the early advantage and increased their lead throughout the race. Although the Yanks also won the third and last race of the day, it was the Brits who edged ahead on points to win the regatta 82 to 81.

Conditions were perfect for foiling in the six-boat fleet of AC45 catamarans.

© 2016 Sander van der Borch / Artemis Racing

“It’s been a brilliant weekend,” said skipper Ainslie. “For us to race in Portsmouth, with the weather playing its part and two cracking days of racing, as a home team to win in front of our home crowd is the best thing we could do.” The British also won 2015’s ACWS event in Portsmouth. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on hand to present the awards. Here, wearing her own team jersey, Princess Kate greets Land Rover BAR team members.

© Ricardo Pinto / ACEA

The next stop on the tour is Toulon, France, on September 10-11. See www.americascup.com.

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