Wednesday turned out to be a decisive day for INEOS Britannia in their battle with the Italians on Luna Rosso during the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. There have been many historic moments in Louis Vuitton Cup history and today, Friday, the Brits have just added another spectacular chapter by qualifying for the America’s Cup final to take on the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand.

Leading by 6-4 at the end of play on Wednesday, the British Challenger of Yacht Club de Monaco member Sir Jim Ratcliffe started the race with their sights set on gaining the final point needed to face the Defender.  Making the most of the stronger than expected winds INEOS Britannia quickly took the lead, positioning themselves downwind.

They dominated the race from the start forcing the Luna Rossa team to manoeuvre several times in an attempt to overtake them, but to no avail as INEOS Britannia maintained a comfortable lead widening the gap at every mark. After an intensely strategic battle, the Brits won with a 17-second lead. It took the score to 7-4 which means INEOS Britannia wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and qualifies to face YCM Management Committee member Matteo de Nora’s Emirates Team New Zealand in the final of the 37th America’s Cup that starts 12 October.