Please select your home edition
Edition
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px TOP

America's Cup: British Challenger formally christened

by Sail-World.com/NZ 18 May 2024 03:38 PDT 18 May 2024
Britannia naming Ceremony - Barcelona - May 18, 2024 © Sail-World

INEOS Britannia have formally christened their America's Cup Challenger 'Britannia' in a short ceremony at the team's base in Barcelona.

INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd in the 37th America’s Cup, has christened its AC75 race boat “Britannia” at an official naming ceremony in Barcelona. The event was led by INEOS Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and INEOS Britannia CEO and Skipper Sir Ben Ainslie.

Julia Ratcliffe and Romane Polli, the daughters of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his partner Catherine Polli, who are both 16 years old, were appointed the godmothers of Britannia and christened the boat by spraying Nyetimber’s English sparkling wine on the bow, a traditional act performed on all new boats for good luck.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Julia Ratcliffe and Romane Polli daughters christen Britannia - Download the rights free image here The name Britannia was chosen by Sir Jim in homage to one of Britain’s most famous racing yachts. Built in 1893 for King Edward VII, King George V took ownership of Britannia in her later years and converted her into a J Class racing yacht where she became a formidable force on water, with her lifetime record consisting of 231 race wins and 129 further podiums.

Speaking at the launch, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS said: “The America’s Cup has a long and rich history and continually sets the new standard in design, technology and innovation in racing. So, to be back as the British challenger racing Britannia - with all the legacy the name brings - is a real honour for the team. The challenge ahead is immense and one that I know the team will face with grit and determination.”

INEOS Britannia is the first British team to compete in three consecutive America’s Cups since 1903, and the current Britannia is the third America’s Cup race boat for the British team; which was the reasoning behind her previous code name “RB3”. She follows her AC75 predecessor of the same moniker that was raced in the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021.

More than 200 people gathered at the INEOS Britannia base for the ceremony, including team members, their friends and families and senior representatives from INEOS, the Royal Yacht Squadron and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, whose Applied Science division helped design and develop Britannia. Alongside the Mercedes F1 Team, INEOS Britannia have been able to draw on experience from across the INEOS Sport group, including the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, the All Blacks and now Manchester United, in support of the America’s Cup Challenge.

Sir Ben said: “It’s brilliant to have so many people here to name Britannia and celebrate all the hard work that has gone into this campaign so far. INEOS Britannia is embarking on the challenge of a lifetime to be the first British team to win the America’s Cup, and we could not have got this far without the great support from Jim, John and Andy, the INEOS Sport group, the Royal Yacht Squadron and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. It’s wonderful to have Jim and his family here to name Britannia alongside friends and relatives of the team and we’re thankful to everyone for their support.”

Here's some images from the ceremony which took place earlier this morning, and the Sky News interview with skipper Sir Ben Ainslie.

Related Articles

America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted today at 11:07 am
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
America's Cup: The Blitz of Statements
Various parties associated with the America's Cup released statements calling for more transparency Various parties associated with the America's Cup released statements calling for more transparency in the America's Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand responded by releasing what is tagged as the Final Draft of the Protocol. Posted on 23 May
Rooster 2025Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERExposure Marine