British defeat to Emirates Team New Zealand
Land Rover BAR is not going to get the cut on this 35 e America's Cup . Sir Ben Ainslie's team was eliminated in the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs, the last challenger qualifiers, against the New Zealand challenge. Peter Burling and his team of Kiwis sealed the fate of the British team by achieving the five wins needed against Land Rover BAR to qualify for the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs Final.
"I couldn't be more proud of the team. It's been an incredible adventure for us. Three and a half years ago, three of us were sitting around a table in London with just a few ideas in our heads and the support of a few investors. What we've just achieved is really phenomenal. We may have come out of the competition and failed to bring the Cup home, but we knew it was going to be incredibly difficult. We've done our best and when you consider what the team has been through, especially in the last few months, it's a huge credit to the team, said Sir Ben Ainslie following his team's elimination from the America's Cup.
The skipper of Land Rover BAR also announced the team's return (after negotiations with their partners) to the next edition of the America's Cup.
Revenge for the Kiwis
This place in the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs final is a great revenge for Emirates Team New Zealand. Indeed, after their capsizing last Tuesday (June 6), the Kiwis worked hard to restore their boat to its original condition, which had been severely damaged at the mast.
"It took an incredible effort from our entire team to get back on the water this Thursday, June 8 "said Burling following his team's quick return to competition following his accident . "To be able to reward everyone by confirming our progress (in the qualifying finals) today is fantastic and that's exactly what we wanted. Our goal when we came here was to win the America's Cup and we've definitely taken a big step towards final victory
Asked about his preference for the opponent he will face in the challenger final, Burling admitted that he had no preference between Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan.
Softbank Team Japan or Artemis Racing?
While the Japanese had overtaken Artemis Racing, the Swedish team made up for it on Thursday June 8th, winning three out of four races. So it won't be clear until the final day of racing on Friday, June 9, 2017, who of Softbank Team Japan and Artemis Racing will be the second qualifier for the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs, against Emirates Team New Zealand.
