Great Britain ends 60 years of waiting for the America's Cup with victory against Italy | America's Cup

Great Britain will compete for the America's Cup for the first time in 60 years after securing the victory they needed to face defending champions New Zealand next week. “We’ve got one more to go, boys,” skipper Sir Ben Ainslie reminded his crew as they crossed the finish line to defeat their Italian rivals.

Ineos Britannia had won the first of two scheduled races, securing a 7-4 victory over Luna Rossa in a best-of-13 series in Barcelona to secure the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Ainslie, the four-time Olympic gold medalist in sailing, will now try to wrest the Auld Mug from New Zealand at the America's Cup again in Barcelona from October 12. The victory would be a first for British sailing since the competition began in 1851. The last time Britain took part in the America's Cup was in 1964 with a boat captained by Sir Peter Scott, son of Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Scott.

“It’s been a while,” Ainslie said of the Brits’ wait. “It's a big moment, isn't it? There’s a lot of pressure on these organizations, a lot of time and money invested, and you want to do it right, you want it to count.”

Ainslie made it his mission to “bring home the trophy” and led a campaign that cost more than £100 million. “It’s a massive day for our team,” he said, addressing Britannia’s technical and support crew. “This moment is for you.”

In the decisive race under ideal sailing conditions, Britannia led Luna Rossa from the start, building a clean lead in the first two legs and finding open air while the pursuer battled turbulence. Ainslie's team were in control, with gathered fans clapping and waving Union Jacks as they took the lead at half-time. The Italians gave chase and reduced the gap to less than 20 meters on the fifth stage. The wind conditions played into their hands, but they still couldn't find a way to overtake their opponents.

Luna Rossa waited in vain for their chance to pass, but Britannia continued to play it safe and widened the gap again. Britannia led clearly in the final stage, Ainslie steered and took advantage of the stronger wind to maintain a lead that the desperate Italians were unable to catch up with. They crossed the finish line with a clear gap.

Ainslie's co-pilot Dylan Fletcher, who won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, joins the sailors he edged out for silver, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who will lead the New Zealand challenge next weekend. “Bring it on the Kiwis,” said Fletcher, who was a late draftee after years of begging Ainslie for a role. He was overjoyed at fulfilling “a lifelong dream” and was “looking forward to showing what we can do next weekend at the America's Cup.”

Italy's veteran assistant coach Jimmy Spithill, a two-time America's Cup winner with the United States, immediately announced his resignation, saying: “It's tough, but this is sport and it's going to be a tough few days for the team.” The better team won and I just want to say well done to Ben and Dylan and the entire team.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, owner of the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team and interested in the Formula 1 Mercedes team, who supported the production of Britannia, celebrated one of his greatest successes beyond the petrochemical business from which he became rich. Ratcliffe was invited aboard by the flotilla of spectator yachts to collect the trophy that his finances had made possible. Ainslie thanked “Jim and his team at Ineos for coming and helping us”.