Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos ‘taking Legal Steps’ Against Ainslie Over America’s Cup Boat

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is taking ineligible action against Sir Ben Ainslie complete nan vessel built for nan 2024 America’s Cup.

Ratcliffe and Ainslie worked intimately together crossed 2 cycles of nan celebrated sailing competition, culminating successful a historical but yet unsuccessful situation for nan title 18 months ago.

The 2 men have since fallen out complete plans for a 3rd bid. In April 2025, Ineos announced it had “reluctantly withdrawn its challenge” for adjacent year’s race, claiming a six-month hold successful reaching an statement pinch Ainslie’s Athena Racing had “undermined its expertise to prepare” for nan event.

On Saturday, Ineos released a connection connected Saturday expressing “surprise” that Ainslie’s Athena Racing has kept nan vessel – named Britannia – which was utilized successful 2024. Ineos Britannia became nan first British squad to triumph nan challenger bid but were past beaten 7-2 by Emirates Team New Zealand successful Barcelona.

“Ineos is amazed that nan vessel we built for nan past America’s Cup has been taken by Athena Racing,” publication 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.

Ineos Britannia title Emirates New Zealand disconnected nan seashore of Barcelona successful 2024. Photograph: Matteo Secci/Zuma/Shutterstock

“The vessel was nan astir successful British vessel successful history and costs Ineos £180million, and evolved people from nan first boat, which costs a further £170m. Ineos is taking ineligible steps for nan vessel to beryllium returned.”

Ainslie’s team, now rebranded arsenic GB1, will beryllium nan challenger of grounds for nan 38th America’s Cup successful Naples adjacent year, pinch Oakley Capital announced arsenic awesome investors successful December.

Later connected Saturday 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 belonged to them.

“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 AC 38 [America’s Cup 38],” nan connection added.