Even as they choke back on their America's Cup defeat off Barcelona, INEOS Britannia have already set their sights on their next opportunity to claim sailing's ultimate trophy, becoming the Challenger of Record for the 38th edition.
Emirates Team NZ have retained the "Auld Mug" with a 37-second victory in the ninth race, winning the best-of-13 series 7-2. After taking the first four races, they had a bad day on the water, dropping two points to the British, but swept the next three to seal their third straight cup victory.
The Kiwis took the silverware off Oracle Team USA at Bermuda in 2017 and defending it against Italians Luna Ross Prada Pirelli at Auckland in 2021.
The Kiwis trounced Britannia for their third straight win. (Source: Supplied)
Obviously disappointed to fall short, Britannia boss Sir Ben Ainslie has confirmed to The Guardian that the syndicate has lodged the next challenge, although details were still sketchy. The programme has been heavily backed by chemical billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. but his future involvement was unclear.
"I know he wants to stay involved, but we've got to figure out just what that looks like," said Ainslie. "There’s so much to figure out, but for sure, Jim and Ineos are keen.
"Maybe we've got to fight for some other backers to come in and support them."
Britain — the most successful Olympic sailing nation — has never won the America's Cup and previously made the final in 1964, when the Royal Thames Yacht Club was swept by the Americans at Newport.
Ainslie was part of the Oracle outfit that rallied from match point down to retain the trophy from Team NZ at San Francisco in 2013 but he's determined to claim the spoils for his country of birth.
"This is our third go around and every time we get closer," he said. "We got close this time.
"We didn't quite get there, but we're determined to keep going, until we get the job done. We set this thing up 10 years ago to win the cup and I'm not a quitter."
After taking their latest defence offshore to maximise financial gains, Team NZ now face their own decisions over where and when to stage the next regatta, and what boats will be used. Team boss Grant Dalton has deflected those questions, at least until this victory has been celebrated, but options would seem to include Auckland, Barcelona or Saudi Arabia.
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