Princess Kate has been a fan of sailing ever since she took to the water for the dragon boat race (Image: Getty)
has congratulated Sir Ben Ainslie and his team as they became the first British sailing team to qualify for the America’s Cup final in 60 years.Backed by billionaire , the Brits beat the Italian Luna Rossa crew to win the challenger series on Friday.For the first time since 1964, a yacht bearing a British flag will contest the final of the prestigious event.The Princess of Wales, 42, , posted on X: “Congratulations to and the whole INEOS Britannia Team on qualifying for the 37th America’s Cup!”A fantastic display of teamwork, skill and determination. Best of luck for the final challenge!”
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She signed off the message of support with her initial ‘c’.
Ainslie’s INEOS Britannia will compete against title-holders Emirates Team New Zealand in a best of 17 showdown starting next weekend.The four-time Olympic gold medallist and his team’s A win would be history-making as no British team has ever won the Auld Mug in the 173 years since its inception.
Ainslie’s INEOS Britannia will compete against title-holders Emirates Team New Zealand in the final (Image: Getty)
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Princess Kate has been a fan of sailing since she was a student at St. Andrew’s (Image: Getty)
Reacting to Friday’s win, Ainslie said: “It is a massive day for our team and I am so proud of everyone, not just on the water but on the shore. It is a massive moment.”We started this team 10 years ago when Britain wasn’t even in the America’s Cup. Some amazing people came in and supported the team financially and then of course Jim and his INEOS team came in and helped us. This is a huge thank you.”There is a lot of pressure, a lot of investment and you want to make it count, so I am delighted.”Peter Scott, the last British skipper to progress this far in 1964, was a Navy hero who spent his later years trying to prove the Loch Ness Monster was real.