America's Cup: Sir Ainslie opens his second Cup chase for England

His first attempt under the British flag in 2017 off Bermuda was less successful than he had hoped: Britain's sailing superstar and his team Land Rover BAR had to admit defeat in the semi-finals of the challenger round of the 35th America's Cup with a boat that was too slow. That was not what Sir Ben Ainslie, spoilt by success, had imagined. But now the 41-year-old four-time Olympic champion is back. Apparently stronger than ever, as his newly formed Ineos Team GB has announced its intention to compete for the America's Cup in 2021 with a budget of 126 million euros. The team is named after the chemical company Ineos, which is committed to the British dream of winning the first Cup in the 167-year history of the oldest and most important sailing regatta.

For British sailing, it is the biggest investment in the America's Cup in history. Sir Ainslie will not only skipper the eventual Cup yacht but will also lead the design and boat building programme. The official challenge was presented to the New Zealand defenders by the Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Club.

Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe said of the company's major commitment: "The America's Cup is the most competitive regatta and Britain has never won it, despite having founded it more than 150 years ago. We believe that with the team we have now assembled we can bring a very competitive boat to the start line. After that, it will all come down to the art of sailing. Ben is undoubtedly the best sailor Britain has ever produced. So we should have a promising fighting chance." The Ineos founder continued: "Ineos has been involved in many serious projects in the past, but none have been as exciting as this one. We have a first-class team and will do everything we can to bring this trophy back to where it belongs: the UK."

Sir Ainslie will lead the team. England's sailing darling had already won the Amrica's Cup once before in 2013 with Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA. But the dream of winning under the British flag continues to drive him on. The team's CEO is America's Cup legend Grant Simmer, who has already taken part in ten America's Cup editions and has often been one of the key figures in the battle for the silver jug - not least at the start of the third millennium alongside chief designer Rolf Vrolijk in the twice-winning Swiss team Alinghi. Ineos Team GB's chief designer is New Zealander Nick Holroyd. Finn Dinghy Olympic champion Giles Scott remains the man at Ainslie's side as tactician.

For Sir Ben Ainslie, the restart is a dream come true: "This is the most incredible boost for British sport. With this significant commitment from Ineos to support a full two-boat campaign, Great Britain now has the best chance of bringing the America's Cup home. To where it belongs." The roots of the America's Cup go back to 1851, when 15 boats competed in a regatta but had to concede victory to the US yacht 'America', after which the America's Cup was later named. 167 years later, the British have still not been able to win "their" Cup. That should finally change in three years' time.