Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history, is about to begin his greatest challenge. He already has one America’s Cup to his name yet this time the stakes have been raised, with Portsmouth poised for a weekend in the spotlight that – it is hoped – could see the city buoyed once again.
Ainslie will on Saturday lead his all-British team Land Rover BAR out on the Solent for the first time in a competitive race. The aim, to secure a place at the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda. Win that and it will not be just a World Series regatta brought to England’s south coast but the revered cup itself, with the victor choosing the next venue.
Related: Sir Ben Ainslie believes his team can be first British crew to win America’s Cup
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