Land Rover BAR win the final regatta in Japan to take the overall Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series title, putting them in a commanding position going into the America’s Cup Final next year in Bermuda.
Land Rover BAR fought hard for their victory and beat closest rivals and the current Defender, ORACLE TEAM USA in a dramatic and intense final race this weekend in Fukuoka, Japan.
Saturday’s strong sailing meant that the team headed into the final day in a commanding position. After a long and tense first race on Super Sunday, Land Rover BAR fought hard against Oracle Team USA as they sailed a very aggressive race showing Land Rover BAR no mercy and leaving the regatta wide open. The team kept supporters on their toes as they broke the line early in race two, with Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA clear leaders at the start gun. A stunning recovery on the first lap saw them back into the pack, and with an incredible final leg pass of the Americans, Land Rover BAR sealed the World Series win. Securing third place in the final race meant the full champagne moment for Ben Ainslie and crew winning the Fukuoka regatta and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.
Ben Ainslie, Team Principal and Skipper said: “It was an amazing day for the team because our core goal was to win the overall series, that is what we came here to do. To achieve that and come out on top in the final event to get four regatta wins in the overall series, that is a huge achievement from a completely new team.
