America's Cup: Ben Ainslie splits from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Britannia sailing team

Four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie has parted ways with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Britannia America's Cup sailing team. It is reported that the 47-year-old Ainslie had strained relations with Manchester United co-owner Ratcliffe over plans for the next America's Cup, which ultimately led to their separation.

Ainslie had served as team principal and skipper of Ineos Britannia, backed by Ratcliffe since 2018, with the aim of winning the trophy for Britain for the first time since the sailing competition began in 1851. In a statement, Ineos said they had "failed to agree on the way forward" with Ainslie after last year's event in Barcelona, which was won by New Zealand. Ineos plans to participate in the next America's Cup under the Britannia name.

Ainslie’s team responded that they were "shocked" by Ineos’ future plans for the America's Cup and believe that it "presents them with significant legal and practical obstacles." Following the split, Ainslie's America's Cup team will be renamed Athena Racing.

Ratcliffe did not directly mention the split with Ainslie in the Ineos statement, but he stated that he was "immensely proud" of "developing the first truly competitive British boat in decades." Ainslie won medals in five consecutive Olympics from 1996, including gold medals in four consecutive Olympics from 2000 to 2012.

Since winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics, Ainslie's goal has been to win the America's Cup for Britain, but all of his attempts in British boats, including those backed by Ineos, have ended in disappointment.