Great Britain has stumbled out of the gate in its historic quest for America’s Cup success, with Ineos Britannia facing a challenging start against Emirates Team New Zealand. On the first day of racing, the British team found themselves trailing 2-0 in the best-of-13 series, marking a disappointing beginning to their campaign. Despite a significant investment of £100 million and a decade of preparation, Ineos Britannia encountered technical issues that hindered their performance. Skipper Ben Ainslie expressed his frustration, acknowledging that the team struggled to keep pace with their opponents. “It’s not the start we were looking for,” Ainslie said, reflecting on the team's difficulties. “We just couldn’t quite match them around the track.” With the series now in jeopardy, Ainslie and his crew must quickly regroup and find a way to turn the tide before the competition slips further away from them.

**Great Britain vs. New Zealand: America’s Cup 2024 Races One and Two – Live Updates** Ineos Britannia is set to face off against Emirates Team New Zealand in the highly anticipated America’s Cup 2024. This event marks a significant moment in sailing history, as the competition features a British team led by Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, going up against the formidable New Zealand team, often referred to as the ‘All Blacks of the Sea.’ The New Zealand squad is helmed by Peter Burling, a two-time Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. The first race is scheduled to begin at **1 PM BST**, followed by the second race later in the afternoon, both taking place in Port Vell, near the Barceloneta beachfront. This year’s competition is particularly historic, as Great Britain aims to secure their first-ever America’s Cup title, competing in their first final in 60 years. With 173 years of sporting tradition at stake, the excitement is palpable as these two teams prepare to battle it out on the water.

**'Ruthless' Ben Ainslie Central to Britain's America’s Cup Aspirations** - Regatta director commends Ainslie's 'unpredictable' nature - Skipper's extensive experience may provide an advantage over New Zealand According to regatta director Iain Murray, New Zealand will face a significant challenge from Britain's seasoned skipper, Ben Ainslie, in the upcoming America’s Cup. While Ainslie took a break from sailing to support the British team competing in the inaugural women’s America’s Cup, the New Zealand crew, led by Pete Burling, utilized their time on the water to prepare for the competition.

Britain's Ineos Britannia is on the verge of securing victory in the America’s Cup challenger series after achieving two narrow wins against Italy's Luna Rossa on Wednesday. With a 6-4 lead in the first-to-seven Louis Vuitton Cup series, the British team is just one point away from clinching the title. The races took place in challenging "knife edge" sea conditions, with both AC75 "foiling" boats navigating choppy waters and reaching speeds exceeding 50 knots, propelled by a strong Mediterranean breeze. The atmosphere was charged, with large Italian and British flags prominently displayed at their respective bases in Barcelona. Ben Ainslie, the skipper of Ineos Britannia, acknowledged the difficulties of sailing in such conditions, stating, "It's hard to sail these boats in these waves." As the series progresses, the pressure mounts on Luna Rossa to respond and keep their hopes alive in the competition.