INEOS Britannia Team Profile: Royal Yacht Squadron
The 37th America’s Cup racing is underway, and here’s a full team profile on INEOS Britannia, the crew and their yacht club, the Royal Yacht Squadron…
Team Profile
Nationality: Great Britain
Representing: Royal Yacht Squadron
Key people: Ben Ainslie, CEO; James Allison, CTO; Martin Fischer, Chief Designer.
Key sailors: Ben Ainslie (skipper), Giles Scott (helmsman); Freddie Carr; Dylan Fletcher; Leigh McMillan; Neil Hunter.
About INEOS Britannia
This is Ainslie’ third attempt to win the Cup for Great Britain, and it’s a team that is all about the tech. Backing from Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives the team access as part of the INEOS Sport Group to Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, with live data link-ups to the Mercedes Applied Science team in Brackley, as well as working with the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team.
The Formation of INEOS Britannia
The British team was formed in 2014, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, with Ben Ainslie leading the charge.
After winning the America’s Cup with Oracle Team USA in San Francisco (2013), Ben Ainslie set out to win another, but this time with a British Team. The British Team made it to the semi-final in Bermuda (2017), but were knocked out by Emirates Team New Zealand.
In 2018, the British Team joined forces with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and became INEOS Britannia.
The 2024 37th edition of the America’s Cup in Barcelona marks the first time a British team has competed in 3 consecutive America’s Cups since Sir Thomas Lipton and the Royal Ulster YC bids between 1899 to 1930.
The America’s Cup began in 1851 in Cowes, Isle of Wight, organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron, and predating the modern Olympic Games by 45 years. Since losing the first competition 173 years ago against the Americans (New York Yacht Club), the British (Royal Yacht Squadron) are still yet to win…
The Royal Yacht Squadron
The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Isle of Wight, is a highly prestigious and exclusive yacht club with over 200 years of rich history. They host a wide range of events and races throughout the year, including Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race, as well as marking the finish line for elite offshore competitions like the Ocean Globe Race.
Founded in 1815, the Royal Yacht Squadron, or “The Yacht Club” as it was then known, was situated at Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London.
The Prince Regent was welcomed as a member in 1817, and in his later ascension to the throne as George IV, Royal was added to the club’s name. The club kept a close association with the Royal Navy, with early honorary members including Nelson’s Captain at Trafalgar, Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy.
The RYS Clubhouse: Cowes Castle
Built in 1539 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences, Cowes Castle has a long royal naval history. After being decommissioned in 1855, the Castle was taken over by the Royal Yacht Squadron and became their clubhouse.
More on the America’s Cup
- America’s Cup Boats: What it’s like helming an AC75
- 37th America’s Cup: Key Info, Dates & How to Watch
- Ben Ainslie’s Team Update: America’s Cup Countdown
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