Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Jim Ratcliffe won The America’s Cup challenger series in 2024 – but their partnership ended last year
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is taking legal action against Sir Ben Ainslie over the boat built for the 2024 America’s Cup.
Manchester United co-owner Ratcliffe and Ainslie worked closely together across two cycles of the famous sailing competition, culminating in a historic but ultimately unsuccessful challenge for the title 18 months ago. The two men have since fallen out over plans for a third bid, with Ineos releasing a statement on Saturday expressing ‘surprise’ that Ainslie’s Athena Racing has kept the boat used in 2024.
“Ineos is surprised that the boat we built for the last America’s Cup (AC37) has been taken by Athena Racing,” read the statement.
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“The boat belongs to Ineos and it is inappropriate to assume it can be used for the next competition without seeking our permission.
“The boat was the most successful British boat in history and cost Ineos £180million, and evolved naturally from the first boat, which cost a further £170m. Ineos is taking legal steps for the boat to be returned.”
Ainslie’s GB1 team is the challenger of record for the 38th America’s Cup in Naples next year, with Oakley Capital announced as major investors in December.
Sir Ben Ainslie skipper of the AC75 Ineos Britannia and Ineos CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe celebrate with the Louis Vuitton Cup after defeating The AC75 Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team during the race 11 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final - 37th America's Cup back in 2024
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In 2024, Ineos Britannia became the first British team to win the challenger series but they were then beaten 7-2 by Emirates Team New Zealand in Barcelona.
Later on Saturday GB1 issued a statement in response, in which they said they “appreciate the sponsorship and support of Ineos over the last two campaigns” but maintained the boat belonged to them.
“It should come as no surprise to Ineos that assets which are owned by, and have always been in the possession of Athena Racing are being used for AC 38 [America’s Cup 38],” the statement added.
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