Sir Ben Ainslie facing uphill battle to keep Britain’s America’s Cup dream alive

Ainslie and his crew suffered a nightmare start to the best of 13 races Prada Cup final against Italians Luna Rossa off the shores of Auckland.

They lost the first four races on board Britannia with the Italians now needing to win just three more to book an America’s Cup final date with defending champions Team New Zealand next month.

The Prada Cup final was due to resume on Wednesday, but racing for that day has been cancelled due to a 72-hour lockdown period being ordered across the Auckland region.

Ineos Team UK are aiming to become the first British winners of the America’s Cup in the tournament’s 170-year history.

Similarly, Luna Rossa - owned by Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada fashion brand - are aiming to become the first Italian winners of the competition.

Ainslie, meanwhile, is certainly no stranger to making stirring America’s Cup comebacks.

He was part of the American team that came from 1-8 down to sensationally beat New Zealand 9-8 off the shores of San Francisco to win the silverware in 2013.

The Olympic legend will need his sailing Midas Touch to return if he is to keep his dream alive ...