Ineos Takes Legal Steps To Get Boat Off Ainslie

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group is taking ineligible steps to unafraid nan return of a vessel utilized successful nan past Americas Cup by Sir Ben Ainslie's team.

Ainslie was Ineos' squad main and skipper, having sewage nan backing of Ratcliffe successful 2018 successful a bid to a present a first triumph for Great Britain successful nan yacht title since it started successful 1851.

Ineos funded nan squad led by Ainslie for nan Americas Cup successful Auckland and Barcelona successful 2021 and 2024 respectively.

However, relations betwixt nan laminitis of petrochemicals elephantine Ineos and Ainslie reportedly turned sour and they split astatine nan commencement of past year.

Manchester United co-owner Ratcliffe's Ineos sailing squad had intended to situation for nan adjacent America's Cup, successful Naples successful 2027, but abandoned nan plans successful April 2025.

Ineos blamed "a prolonged negotiation" pinch Athena Racing - formed by Ainslie - claiming his squad had caused a costly six-month hold to colony talks.

Four-time Olympic champion Ainslie subsequently secured private equity backing for Athena from Oakley Capital and rebranded nan squad arsenic GB1 successful January.

Ineos said it is "taking ineligible steps" to guarantee nan vessel - named Britannia - will beryllium returned.

"Ineos is amazed that nan vessel we built for nan past America's Cup has been taken by Athena Racing," said nan statement.

"The vessel belongs to Ineos and it is inappropriate to presume it tin beryllium utilized for nan adjacent title without seeking our permission.

"The vessel was nan astir successful British vessel successful history and costs Ineos £180m and evolved people from nan first boat, which costs a further £170m."

GB1 issued a connection successful response, successful which they said they "appreciate nan sponsorship and support of Ineos complete nan past 2 campaigns" but maintained nan vessel was theirs.

"It should travel arsenic nary astonishment to Ineos that assets which are owned by, and person ever been successful nan possession of Athena Racing are being utilized for AC38 [Americas Cup 38]," nan connection added.

Ainslie told nan BBC past twelvemonth that splitting pinch Ineos aft nan "fallout" was "a difficult decision" but stemmed from "different opinions connected really to move forwards pinch nan team".