LAND ROVER BAR SET FOR THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN SPORT

24 May 2017

Land Rover BAR will attempt to make America’s Cup history in Bermuda

  • Challenger aiming to become first British winner of the oldest trophy in international sport
  • Start of the 35th America’s Cup marks a significant engineering milestone on Land Rover BAR’s journey
  • Fans can experience the thrill of America’s Cup racing as a crew member in Land Rover’s new immersive 360 VR film https://youtu.be/37iZrZrhXG0

Wednesday 24 May 2017, Bermuda: The wait for the 35th America’s Cup is nearly over as Land Rover BAR, led by five‑time Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie, prepare to battle in Bermuda for sailing’s ultimate prize.

America’s Cup sailing is faster, more competitive and more technically advanced than ever before – it’s called  ‘F1 on water’ for good reason. Reaching speeds of 60mph, these boats fly above the surface, pushing the boundaries of aerodynamics, control systems, data analysis and performance in the pursuit of optimum speed and efficiency. 

The start of competition is the most important moment yet for the two‑year‑old collaboration between the team and Land Rover, its Exclusive Innovation Partner. The unique partnership was forged with one aim – to design a boat capable of winning the oldest trophy in international sport.

Land Rover’s technological innovation and engineering expertise has ranged from Aeordynamic testing and CFD modeling of the boat’s main power source, the wing, to data analysis through machine learning and the cutting‑edge Human Machine Interface technologies used in the development of Ben Ainslie’s steering wheel and e‑ink display screens.

Land Rover BAR set sail in the first qualifier later this week, Friday 26 May.

“As pioneers in the car industry we couldn’t think of a better opportunity than to support the British America’s Cup team in their quest to win the hardest, and indeed oldest sporting trophy. Land Rover has been involved in sailing for a number of years, therefore being a part of the pinnacle event and having the opportunity to put our knowledge and expertise into the R1 race boat is a great showcase of a true industry collaboration between marine and automotive.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to help Ben and his Land Rover BAR team make it this far, and we can’t wait to see them competing in the Cup itself. Land Rover will be offering its full support from around the globe and we wish the team the best of luck.”

Mark Cameron
Land Rover Experiential Marketing Director

"The last couple of years have been hard work, and it’s been great to have the design, technology and engineering support of Land Rover in the development of the R1 race boat. We have been waiting for this moment, and the whole team are very excited and ready to give it our best shot.”

Ben Ainslie
Skipper and Land Rover BAR Principal

The 35th America’s Cup event starts on 26 May with the Qualifiers, where one team will be eliminated from the competition and the remaining teams will go into the Play Offs starting on 4 June.

America’s Cup Challengers:

  • Land Rover BAR
  • Artemis Racing
  • Emirates Team New Zealand
  • SoftBank Team Japan
  • Groupama Team France
  • ORACLE TEAM USA (Cup holder)
Land Rover BAR R1 Race Boat

Further information

For further information log onto bar.landrover.com or contact:

Lydia Haley

Senior Press Officer

+44 24 7656 4147 / +44 7730 923507

lhaley1@jaguarlandrover.com

Notes to Editors

Land Rover

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

 

About Land Rover BAR

Sarah Alexander, Land Rover BAR Press Officer

Sarah.alexander@landroverbar.com t. +44 7766 391 276 / +44 1489 587 838

Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) was launched on June 10th 2014 in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge. The team was conceived by four‑times Olympic gold medalist and 34th America's Cup winner, Sir Ben Ainslie, with the long‑term aim of challenging for Britain and bringing the America's Cup back home to where it all began in 1851. Sir Ben has developed and will lead a British entry capable of winning the prestigious trophy, something Britain has so far never managed to achieve.

Land Rover BAR is a commercial sporting team, with a number of individual private investors alongside corporate partners. The team is made up of some of the best British and international sailors, designers, builders and racing support.

Sports teams represent key role models in society. This privileged position is not taken for granted at Land Rover BAR. The team believe our influence should extend far beyond the race course, and have put sustainability at the heart of operations since launching the team with Exclusive Sustainability Partner 11th Hour Racing in 2014.

The team have built a new headquarters in the centre of Portsmouth, the 74,000 sq ft. building houses all the team's activities, and will welcome the public into its Tech Deck education centre.

The 1851 Trust is the team's official charity, and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is its Royal Patron.

LandRoverBAR.com #BringTheCupHome