Whitley, UK, 24 June 2015 ‑ Land Rover has announced a global partnership with Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) ahead of its challenge for the 35^th America's Cup in 2017. As Title Partner and Exclusive Innovation Partner, Land Rover will work closely over the next two years with the BAR design and engineering teams to help deliver a winning combination of advanced engineering and innovative technologies in their bid to bring the oldest sporting trophy in the world home to Britain, the place where it all started with a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851.

The Jaguar Land Rover Advanced Engineering team has already started working with BAR and together they have identified a number of projects where it is felt tangible performance gains can be made to create the competitive edge required to win the America's Cup.

The new team, named Land Rover BAR, was announced today at the home of Ben Ainslie Racing in Portsmouth, UK. The team will compete in the America's Cup beginning with the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series (Portsmouth) event 24 ‑ 26 July 2015 in Portsmouth and culminating in the Louis Vuitton Qualifiers America's Cup and Playoffs in Bermuda June 2017 in order to reach the America's Cup Match in June 2017. 

The rules for the campaign state that all challenging teams will sail America's Cup Class foiling multihull boats with no engine to work the foiling hydraulics.  The crew of just six sailors, who will weigh no more than 525kg between them, will use pure human power to adjust the hydrofoils and wing sail. 

Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Experiential Marketing Director said: "At Land Rover we have a long history in sailing.  This incredible partnership with BAR has given us the opportunity to showcase our world class expertise in advanced engineering and innovative technologies which lie at the heart of everything Land Rover does.   Yes we make cars but, we will make a real difference to the performance of the Land Rover BAR team and we will help create the fastest boat possible in the hope of bringing America's Cup to the UK for the first time."

Ben Ainslie, Team Principal of Land Rover BAR said: "We are delighted to have Land Rover as our Title Partner and Exclusive Innovation Partner. A great British brand, but also a fantastic engineering and technology company who will work hand in hand with our design and engineering team. Together we will develop race‑winning technology for our America's Cup Class boat."

The team's new home has been built to be BREEAM Excellent, a purpose‑built facility housing all of the team's activities from design to sailing, sports science to marketing ‑ a showcase for sport, innovation, technology and sustainability in the heart of Portsmouth.

Both Land Rover and BAR are part of the GREAT Campaign, the Government's initiative that showcases the very best of what Great Britain has to offer.   There is a shared desire to build a strong legacy through Education, Training, Participation and Innovation projects for future generations.

ENDS