These are the first publicly available moving images of a mini version of the future America's Cup yachts that Sir Ben Ainslie's British America's Cup team are testing on the Solent. Recorded from aboard a Dragonfly 25 and released by the London Corinthean Sailing Club with the reference to a "modified Quant 28", the speedster can be seen racing across the waves. Fan reactions to the clip ranged from "Jesus, Mary and Joseph" to "I'm lost for words" and "Are these for sale second-hand yet?".
At the beginning of July, the sailing blog "Sailing Illustrated" published a picture of the boat by photographer Ian Correy (available to view as a post at www.sailweb.co.uk), which could be seen with air cushions under the wings. The test platform in the style of the future AC-75 monohull yachts on foils is currently the subject of many rumours in the Cup scene. Now the potent "cup baby" can actually be seen in the video for the first time. Ineos Team UK has not yet commented on the images.
Sir Ben Ainslie wants to win the America's Cup for his home country Great Britain for the first time at the second attempt under the British flag. So far, there are two strong opponents alongside the New Zealand defenders: the American Magic team from the New York Yacht Club and Patrizio Bertelli's Luna Rossa Challenge from the Circolo Vela della Sicilia.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
