Ainslie & Co raise the BAR in Portsmouth

Sir Ben Ainslie is hoping history repeats itself after leading Land Rover BAR to a thrilling America's Cup triumph in Portsmouth yesterday.

By The Newsroom

Published 25th Jul 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 25th Aug 2016, 17:17 BST

Sir Ben Ainslie and Land Rover BAR celebrate. Picture: Paul Jacobs (160270-118)

Old-Portsmouth based BAR edged out defenders ORACLE Team USA by one point to take regatta glory and the overall world series lead.

Ainslie & Co are competing for the right to win the Auld Mug – sport’s oldest trophy – in Bermuda next year.

To do so they will need to earn the right to take on ORACLE, who as defending champions are already assured of their place in the grand final.

And delighted skipper Ainslie is hoping this weekend’s memorable success on the Solent is a sign of things to come as BAR bid to become the first British team to bring the cup home.

He said: ‘To be able to win in front of our home crowd in Portsmouth was amazing, we are really proud.

‘Let’s hope us going head to head with ORACLE is a sign of things to come.

‘The ultimate goal is to bring the cup back here one day and trust me we will be giving it everything to do so.’

Portsmouth Land Rover