Portsmouth Highlights Sailing: America's Cup

It's beautiful, isn't it? That is the oldest trophy in world sport,

the America's Cup. 165 years ago it was won for the first time by an

American boat in a race around the Isle of Wight. This trophy has never

been won by a British team but this time around we are back in the game.

After over a century and a half that game looks very, very different. Oh,

wow! Oh buoy! Steaming along. Fantastic racing. Just lost control

of the boat. Oracle Team USA! The America's Cup World Series this week

lands in Portsmouth. Six teams made up of the very best sailors on the

planet racing the fastest race boat ever built. It's quite a spectacle,

its high-speed adrenaline fuelled sailboat racing. But it's not the

first time it's come to the UK. Last year here in Portsmouth thousands

flocked for the first round ever of the 35th America's Cup World Series.

It was the first time the six teams went head-to-head. Sailing fans had

never seen anything like it. The event was a resounding success. Not

least because the man they all came to cheer topped the podium. British

team Land Rover BAR took a spectacular win here in Portsmouth

last year to the delight of the very partisan home crowd. All here to

cheer on their sailing hero, Sir Ben Ainslie. Ben Ainslie and crew, their

first debut, and they have done it. Before we find out just how the rest

of the World Series has been going for Ainslie since his win here last

year we will take a quick time-out for a quick history lesson. As we

have already seen the first ever race for the America's Cup was

sailed around the Isle of Wight Way back in 1851. At the time it was for

a new trophy then called the Hundred Guinea cup, awarded to the first

yacht across the line in a race around the Ireland. That yacht was

called America. And in winning the trophy her owners decided it was

appropriate to rename it the America's Cup. They took the

silverware back to New York and in doing so they started the longest

ever winning streak in world sport. For an astounding 132 years the

trophy stayed with the New York yacht club until, in 1983, Australia

two wrestled the trophy from the American sliced like grip. They took

the cup on US soil for the first time since that race back in 1851.

Since then the cup has been contested a further nine times. It's

only seen three different winners. But it's the most recent cup, held

back in 2013, that really caught the attention of the sporting public.

And that is where our man Ben Ainslie enters the fray. Held out in

the waters of San Francisco Bay, the last cup was raced on the most

advanced, most expensive, fastest sailing machines ever built. The

previous winners, Oracle Team USA, were defending the cup against the

challenging team, Emirates Team New Zealand. 8-1 down in a first to nine

contest it was all over for the Americans, the cup was on the way to

New Zealand. In a last throw of the dice they changed tactician and up

stepped Ben Ainslie. Fresh from London 2012 Olympic success, Ainslie

helped mastermind the greatest ever comeback in sporting history. As the

USA sailed to an incredible eight straight wins and thus keeping their

hands on the oldest Choate fee in world sport. And still the defender

of the America's Cup, Oracle Team USA -- the oldest trophy in world

sport. For Ben Ainslie, that win was a career defining moment. He would

return home cup winner. But the cup would remain in the USA. The next

big challenge was to set about winning it again. But this time as a

British team with British backers. A team that could win the America's

Cup and bring the oldest trophy in world sport back to where it all

began. You know what it is like, the final build-up, you are a cup winner

already. How different is it now you are in charge of the whole thing?

Well, I think having founded the team, and sort of being involved in

every area, you realise just how much more is going on other than

just the sailing or the design. Whether that be commercial or

illegal, or, you know, we have a lot of investors heavily involved with

the team as well. -- legal. So yeah, there's a lot to occupy the mind, a

lot to think about. There are so many things going on with the team

on a day-to-day basis that you have to learn to take it all in, cycle it

through and try to make the right decisions and then move forward and

keep, ultimately keep the team going and pushing to get the desired

results. I was going to ask you about your relationship with your

competitors, particularly Jimmy Spithill. Team members three years

ago, batting for the same side. How has that changed as you become more

competitive? We have always had a great relationship, Jimmy and I. We

first met back in 2001 or something like that. We came back together

many years later for the Oracle Team USA. I think there is our healthy

respect. We are very different people, but opposites attract to a

certain extent. One thing is for sure, when we are both out on the

water, we want to win and we want to beat each other. That's great,

that's what you want can sport, you want those rivalries. Certainly from

my point of view I love knowing that I'm going out against the best guys,

and if you can actually beat them you know you've achieved something

special. I wonder if you take a moment of thought when you go into

work in the morning and there are over 100 people working towards this

common goal, do you take a moment to think you can't believe what's

happening and what is going on? Sometimes we definitely have to

pinch ourselves, because it is really amazing, building the base in

Portsmouth, getting it to where we are now, performing well on the

World Series. We are and we should be very proud of what we have

achieved as a team but we are also hugely competitive. We want that

America's Cup back home. Until ultimately we win it, you can't

relax, you've just got to keep pushing, keep trying to improve, and

work out things to be better and smarter. That team is all working

towards that goal, and they are pretty focused on it. Having raced

the required funding, Ainsley's team set up base in the city of

Portsmouth, the home of the British Navy, a city steeped in British

maritime history, the perfect environment to mastermind the return

of that elusive silverware. Ainsley's team set up here, built an

impressive base and are well into a cup campaign. We are about to head

out onto the water but before we do and going to take a minute to

explain how this America's Cup business works. The teams are all

currently racing on the America's Cup World Series. It's a preliminary

series of nine rounds that being raced in the build-up to the

America's Cup 2017. This will take place in June in Bermuda a year from

now. When the World Series finishes the six teams will then gather in

Bermuda for the cup qualifiers. First and second in the World Series

will take points into these races. Once completed, the top four will go

into a final Challenger series play-off. As we've ready seen

Ainslie himself helped the Americans win the cup in 2013. That means that

Oracle Team USA are the defenders and they will race in the America's

Cup against the winner of the Challenger series play-offs. Put

simply that is how this edition of the cup is going to run. In June of

next year over in Bermuda Oracle Team USA will go head-to-head

against the successful challenger in a battle to win the oldest trophy in

world sport. So that's how this all works. Finish in the top two in the

World Series and you carry points forward to the next H and so

performing well is vital. It's round seven here in Portsmouth and to date

competition between the teams has been nothing but fierce. Lying sixth

in the table at the moment, French team Groupama, late to the America's

Cup party as the last team to confirm entry but on the racetrack

they are a force to be reckoned with. Helmed by a French sailing

legend Franck Cammas, he knows a thing or two about competition. He

won the gruelling Volvo Ocean race at first attempt and is desperate to

take the trophy back to France for the first time ever. SoftBank Team

Japan lie in fifth place. Run by Kiwi Dean Barker, at the helm of the

losing entry last time out. Chris Draper is on the boat, Barker's

right-hand romance. Great to see you in Portsmouth, is it nice to be

home? It is, and England has been turning on the weather. Nice to see

friends I have not seen for a long time and really enjoying being back

here. It certainly feels that SoftBank Team Japan have been

getting better and better. What can you expect to do here? I think we

really don't have any expectations. We've been working really hard in

Bermuda on our testing boat and that's been the priority. We are

trying to focus on improving in this when we get the opportunities at the

offence. At the same time because we are a small team we only start

focusing on these events when we arrive at them which makes it tricky

to improve. But we have been thinking about strategy and the way

we position people in the boat and trying to make the most of

opportunities and I think that can improve our performances. I think

with any sailboat racing you learn a lot, it's about ticking the boxes

and making sure you execute everything well. Making sure there's

none of processes missed an if we do that we will get good results.

Fourth place in the rankings sits one of the powerhouses of the

America's Cup. Privately funded campaign, Artemis Racing from Sweden

come support Smith without their usual Olympic gold medallist who is

in Rio preparing for the games. They are one of only three teams to have

won a World Series event. In fact they've won twice. Run by British

double Olympic gold medallist Percy Dunne Iain Percy. You are fourth in

the table, two of them wins, how happy are you? We've won a third of

the events but lying in fourth sums up our series so far, really. Had

some moments of great sailing but also some stuff we really should

have done better. So overall I'm not happy about being fourth, not happy

about those bad results. What it probably fit in more with our

programme where we are concentrating on the events in 17. You've been in

the Olympic team with Ben Ainslie for absolutely decade and you are

great friends. As rivals, both running and America's Cup team, how

has that relationship changed? In friendship turns our relationship is

as good as ever. The important stuff in life we can chat about as old

mates. Maybe in a lot of ways it is enhanced because we are both in the

same role now, running and America's Cup team comes with a lot of

pressures. In some ways it is quite a lonely position. Having an old

mate going through the same things, there's often a time we will grab a

beer and just wine without giving much away about our respective

pressures. But here we are getting on really well. This weekend weather

looks promising, of excitement building, what can we expect? I

think it's going to be fantastic racing. These boats, for those who

have not seen them, are incredibly fast and spectacular. Faster than

most cars go on the road flying above the water. At the same time

very tight, close racing. I think what people will realise is that

they can understand sailing in a way they never have before with TV

graphics. Those on the sure we'll have a great show. I think any team

can win which is where we sit with these boats now which adds another

element to it as well. We've already established who the defenders of the

cup are this time around. Team Oracle USA are currently third in

the rankings but unbelievably hard yet to win a World Series event.

Helmed by the tenacious Aussie Jimmy Spithill, they are desperate for

their first series win. Every single team that goes to a World Series,

their goal is to win. And that's exactly our goal, to come here and

win, especially this one in front of Ben's home crowd. How much would

that mean to you to beat Ben Ainslie's team here? Oh, it would be

great. Not just Ben, it's really all of them. They all are so tough now.

There's no weak links in the fleet. And for sure, I think this event

will be even bigger than a year ago, just given what's happened, his team

has been set up. It will be awesome. But also we are under no false

illusions, it will be very tough, very competitive, and saving these

boats, man, you can't be perfect. It really is the team that can make

fewer mistakes. are, the team based here in

Portsmouth. They kicked up with that victory here and the whole team are

keen to repeat in front of thousands of fans. Plenty of expectation to

put that cherry on the cake and get the second win here. We want to go

out, we are desperate to get another victory here. It will be really

tough. The competition is getting higher and higher. If this sea

breeze kicks in, it will be amazing, incredibly tight racing. Great for

people to watch on TV and on the shore and on the water. Leading the

rankings at this stage of the cup, Emirates Team New Zealand have

sailed a consistent series. Two event wins and helmed by an

up-and-coming star of the America's Cup. He will also be looking for

gold in Rio, the responsibility in Portsmouth relies on Ashford. You

are top of the leaderboard for ages, can you hold that position? We will

see how we go this weekend. The racing will be fierce whether it be

windy or light. It is a fairly new crew sailing here this weekend and

for me in particular, steering. I haven't done so for more than about

15 minutes on an A/C 45. The guys had better give us some room on the

start line because anything could happen. That is the form guide

coming into this event, what a day we are going to have. The wind is

building and thousands of people are lining the shore and race one is

about to kick off. COMMENTATOR: All set to go, race one on the America's

Cup World Series here in Portsmouth on the historic waters where it all

began way back in 1851. They are away. Three other books -- three of

the boats are a way early. The two rookie helmsman, Francesco Bruni on

Artemis and Glenn Ashby on Emirates Team New Zealand. You can see two or

three feet can make all the difference in the world to being a

hero or zero off the start line. Just as we saw yesterday, the French

off to a flyer. The practice races yesterday, that was a mark of the

French team. Franco mass leading them towards that first mark. A

relatively tight manoeuvre. Not a huge amount of margin for error. He

flew the hull up and over the back of Oracle there, that is confidence

in your ability, I tell you that. We also see group, team France in

front. Then a easy going 12 or 13 knots, the other guys going 11. He

did a nice job clearing the pack and sailing his own boat in his own

breeze. The French have taken off on this leg, they are in their own race

and gone, literally. This would be only the third race the French have

one in the entire America's Cup World Series. A massive boost for

this team and their supporters. They have struggled as a whole but they

take victory in race number one. They may have to wait for British

victory, the French have taken control. STUDIO: Not the hope the

British team would have hoped for, a fifth-place finish but a quick

turnaround for the next race, there was no time to dwell on the

disappointment. The team had to refocus and refocus quickly before

race two. COMMENTATOR: About to get underway in the Solent in front of a

big crowd. The jostling for position as intense as ever. There will be a

lot of the boats going over early, five of the six boats are over early

team France is the only one not over the starting line early. The current

did not hold them back quite as much as they wanted. Groupama will have

to let them through. Around the first mark, Land Rover BAR in first

place. Emirates Team New Zealand behind Artemis racing and not

enjoying themselves so far this afternoon. Land Rover BAR certainly

caught a break. They are over early with the rest of the pack but did a

better job burning off their penalty than anyone else and came at in

second place after a penalty. I guarantee you Ben Ainslie has never

had a penalty before and still come out in second place. Emirates Team

New Zealand trying to gybe in front of the group. Ben Ainslie going

several knots faster. Emirates Team New Zealand trying to get across.

They were the burden boat, the give way boat. They had to stay clear of

the starboard tack is, they could not get across and this will be

really costly as all six boats pile into the first gate with Ben Ainslie

poking through. Artemis racing seemed to be picking up speed at the

bottom of your picture right now. But still in front by a religion of

Lee small margin, Land Rover BAR who have taken a very different path.

Again they have done a nice job of splitting. It is part of their

strategy, Land Rover BAR to try and stay away from the group. Artemis

coming across right now, they are on port tack, the give way boat, they

have to get out of the way of Groupama team France, which they do

successfully. Single-minded sailing from Sir Ben Ainslie and company as

they head to date three clear of the rest. Something for the home crowd

to cheer. Oracle Team USA led by Jimmy Spithill, the man to the right

of the picture. Still around 200 metres off the pace of Land Rover

BAR. This is business, it is all about

winning an home waters in front of the home crowd, giving them

something to celebrate as they head into gate four and contemplate the

finish. Land Rover BAR well in front of the rest. Picking up some speed

as well now. On this final flourish for Land Rover BAR, there will be no

catching them now. Look at the crowd, do you think there will be

much of a raw? This is real stadium sound. Time to celebrate in the

sunshine for the British sailing fancier. Sir Ben Ainslie, owner of

four gold medals as done it again on home waters. Leading them in. It has

been a commanding performance in race two from the British boat, much

to celebrate. A win for the home team in race two, a great comeback

from Land Rover BAR, can they take that winning streak into race three?

The last race of the day, the world's best going head to head in

the scramble for points in the Portsmouth sunshine. They will be

getting away to a flyer this time around? Penalty on Oracle Team USA

and Softbank team Japan, what will stick at to any sailor at home is

how good these guys are at getting close to the starting line.

Literally a foot is deciding if you are a hero or zero coming off the

starting line. Ben Ainslie again shooting that the top-of-the-line to

stay clear of everyone else. He may not be the favourite but getting

himself clear. It looks like he might get off into second place. And

there is the French boat again, starting much better. Didn't pull

off the slingshot but he was helped out by the two boats were over early

and he might be leading coming to the mark. Heading into gate two with

Groupama team France leading the pack against -- ahead of Softbank

team Japan. As they look to head closer to shore and those

spectators. The French skipper asking which mark, at the top of the

screen, it looks like very glassy water. And the better pressure where

they make games is offshore a tactician is called for make the

manoeuvre and go back offshore again, it looks to be better

pressure out there. A breakaway of three, the French, Japanese and

British. Oracle Team USA in very light air trying to get around the

other bluey, do they have to give ground to Artemis racing. The moment

of truth in this race right now whether they can cross or not. It

looks like they will cross Softbank team Japan who are dipping in behind

them. Let us see what happens with our friends at Groupama. Nothing

between the two. Ben Ainslie said to focus on the handling, he has got it

so it may not have gone as smoothly as he would have liked. Will

Groupama have enough speed and not let Ben Ainslie roll over the top?

The instructions clearly working because Land Rover BAR have moved

ahead of Softbank team Japan and the French, hitting the front. As they

head into gate three. Wonderful third to first move in this last

leg. Ben Ainslie on Land Rover BAR saying they are in a match. That if

Ron start to gybe, Land Rover to one macro will start to gybe. The

decision taken in a flurry of activity. Working so hard to

minimise the time lost. The French have simply sailed better so far in

this event. They are really in the hunt, they are sailing and more

aware and confident with each other. But did they just put themselves in

a tough spot? Gybing right into bad air behind Ben Ainslie. It has

allowed Land Rover BAR to take the lead that they are building towards

as they round gate four. They are ahead of the French by a small

margin. Emirates Team New Zealand suddenly back in the picture as

well. Softbank team Japan have to give way straightaway, the French

have do gybe they have to go around the mark. This a dangerous spot for

this time in the race. Every sinew being stretched but it does look as

if British sailing fans will have more to celebrate here. On the

shores of Portsmouth as Ben Ainslie and Land Rover BAR storm their way

to the finishing line, they both put up a handy lead and this would

represent an excellent return for their hard work. Still powering the

boat forward. Two victories for Land Rover BAR and Ben Ainslie with

another special moment for British racing and the man at the helm

congratulated by his team-mates. A job well done, two wins out of three

and giving the crowd exactly what they came for. The racing was very

tight, as you saw. A lot of boat handling was critical. Especially

going round the gates, the guys did a good job in stressful

circumstances. You have five of the best teams in the world breathing

down your neck so it is not easy. We have all seen Ben Ainslie,

particularly in the Olympic arena pull something out when he had to,

way surprised at how he came back from the first race? Absolutely not.

He has so much more experience in this type of boat and at this venue.

It would be amazing to me if he doesn't come out on top this weekend

frankly. They have probably done 100 more days in this boat than anyone

else out here. That doesn't excuse the performances from guys like

ourselves and some of the other top teams who didn't do well today. We

just need to start making less mistakes around the racecourse. Day

one imports must and not the easiest day? A tough day for everyone. A

locked position changes, you can be first or last in an instant. Not a

bad day for us, we are sailing better yesterday. Two second places,

we made a mistake in the last one but it is all tied up for tomorrow

and it is really open, the regatta. After three complete races here on

day one in Portsmouth it is the home team who topped the leaderboard.

Courtesy of two race wins. A good David Dean Barker and

Softbank team Japan. Jimmy Spittal and Oracle Team USA will not be

happy down in fourth. It is quite a sight watching these boats fly

around the Solent but in Bermuda next year they will not be racing in

these boats, these machines promise to take the sport to a whole new

level. The teams are not allowed to launch

the boats for next year 's cup until just after Christmas but they are

allowed to make test builds which is exactly what they have been doing

and the results are spectacular. The boats the teams are striving towards

will be 50 foot long, and just like the World Series boats they will be

foil and wind powered multihulls. They can only build one ultimate cup

built, so they have looked outside of hailing and are drawing on

technology from all manner of industries. And at Land Rover BAR

the man running the show is a very high-tech person. Martin, sailing is

not your world, where have you come from? I was 25 years motor racing,

mainly Formula 1. I got involved in this as a non-sailor knowing nothing

about the America's Cup. A lot of people wondered why I wanted to do

this, and it is a much smaller environment compared to motor racing

but that is part of the appeal. I think it's fresher. The rule book is

more open, there's more opportunity to differentiate. Formula 1 has

grown stacks of rules and regulations such that it's

increasingly difficult to make a difference. Here I think there's a

great opportunity. 165 years after the cup was made, it's never been on

our mantelpiece in this country and I think to be part of that process

which hopefully achieves that I think is exciting for all of us.

From a technological approach just explain to us what you have to do to

do that. Well we don't know yet. But we think we know. I think the

history in America's Cup is generally the quickest boat wins.

Simply put within the confines of the class will we've got to give

them the quickest boat and that's what we are hoping to do. What are

the challenge to making that happen? These are big, powerful, complex

boats. America's Cup has really changed. They were already complex,

big powerful catamarans, foiling has changed the sport. The challenge is

how to develop these technologies. When they are performing well, less

than 1% of the surface area is in water, so they are not boats as we

know it. That means the sport changes, the technical challenges,

materials, control systems, electronics, hydraulics, all things

that were present before are probably orders of magnitude more

complex and critical. What do you think you have brought to it? Well I

think more importantly I think there is a fantastically strong team here.

We've got a team where we've got America's Cup grandees, these are

guys who have been around for awhile, done America's Cup

challengers, they know what it's like to win the Cup. More recently

we've brought people with backgrounds such as myself,

automotive, aerospace. They bring, commentary skills which is crucial

to us getting the most out of the process -- complementary skills. The

crowds are back in their thousands on day two and Land Rover BAR are

the team to beat. In the world of the America's Cup Eckel Sunday super

Sunday because it's double points racing which means we could see

dramatic changes on the leaderboard. Setting up for the first race of the

day in these iconic waters, a brand-new opportunity, then, for the

whole fleet. Very different conditions to yesterday. The wind

has picked write-up. The first race of day to, the breeze

having kicked in, the fleet ready faction to make their mark on the of

the Solent. Double points on offer, and they are away at speed. Lets see

who can get up on the foil the quickest and Ainsley starts the

closest to us. He's been doing that consistently you just want clear

air. He has confidence on his ability to get through the fleet if

he gets behind and he doesn't want to take the chance of getting spat

out the back. Good, conservative start by Ben Ainslie that might have

him first coming into mark number one. Sucked and incinerating site to

see these boats upon the foils. Really going for it in the early

stages, as they hit Mach one, Land Rover BAR and Sir Ben Ainslie in

front. All action on the Artemis Racing

boat. They are heading down wind at high speed. Everybody chasing the

home team boat right now. Ainslie has come to play, two out of three

race wins yesterday. Nice little jump today. At Oracle Team USA, it's

amazing how close they are to the leaders of the overall series, yet

they haven't won regatta. So come into gate to, and it is Land

Rover BAR rounding it the quickest, they are informed by some 20 metres

or so. But Oracle Team USA are hard on the heels. Coming a little bit

deeper. You see the other boat struggling to get their angle is

correct behind them. This will be a nice gap for first and second placed

boats. It could turn into a two boat race quickly. Everybody chasing Land

Rover BAR currently, who are ripping their way forwards. And once again

we are seeing this battle between Sir Ben Ainslie and Jimmy Spithill,

former team-mate but great rivals. They will be relishing this battle

together. What a sight for tens of thousands of sports fans. These

aren't just sailing fans. You walk around the waterfront and talk to

people and ask them, are you a sailor? At least 50% of the time

they say no, they are just here to watch a cool sporting event, and

what a venue for it. Amazing location, amazing sight. Another

thousand or so boats on the water watching as well. This is what the

modern America's Cup is all about. Land Rover BAR and Oracle Team USA

locked in battle. Ainslie will definitely be keeping a close eye on

Oracle Team USA. These two boats had a big jump. They had a big jump on

the rest of the fleet. So it turns into a bit of a match race, they

will watch each other, and Ainslie will not let Oracle out of their

sites very far. Teamwork in action. Going up wind, they overstepped the

mark a little bit which means they probably went a little too far onto

their lay line, onto the closest course of the mark, but it allows

them to pop up on the foils before they go round the mark, probably net

even when it's all said and done. Lose a bit of ground but go quite a

bit faster. We saw those manoeuvres taking that much longer yesterday,

didn't we? These are altogether different conditions, hence the

flight time for Land Rover BAR, time spent literally in the air.

The beauty of this course, as we were mentioning throughout

yesterday, just how close they are the 30 metres offshore. Stadium

racing here in the Solent. Sir Ben Ainslie ripping through the gears.

Ripping through the gate and 24 knots right now. This is not your

grandmother's America's Cup. Ramsgate four and back up wind they

go. Very smooth rounding. Nice smooth job getting from on the foils

back into displacement mode as they go back up wind. That was a perfect

mark round. So still it is Land Rover BAR who are bossing the race,

this opening race of day two of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World

Series. Unlike five of seven. You look back at the pack, Oracle racing

has a nice lay line meaning the direct cause into this gate down

forward on the right-hand side of our screen is Artemis Racing who

have passed Emirates Team New Zealand. Into third place the

Swedes, behind Oracle Team USA. Land Rover BAR leading from the front as

they round gate five. Artemis Racing might make this mark and actually

get around and be very close to second place. Bit of an over

stand-by Oracle racing which means they've allowed Mr get right back in

the hunt. Great regatta last time out in Chicago for the Swedes.

SoftBank Team Japan disputing fourth and fifth, and the French in six as

they head down wind once again. Very close call between Emirates Team New

Zealand and Artemis Racing. Land Rover BAR flying across the water,

46% of the time up on the foils. We are going to see this time and again

in the coming months particularly as we had to Bermuda where the boats

are very much built for this kind of thing. Exactly. They are talking

about for healing in Bermuda up wind up as well as down wind, so they are

flying all the time down wind, and they are not flying upwind. In

Bermuda we might see it close to 100% of the time. Absolutely

steaming away to the finish line. Land Rover BAR and Sir Ben Ainslie

driving the boat to the finish line to the delight of thousands of

supporters revelling in these conditions, revelling in the success

of seeing their men, the hometown team. STUDIO: So Land Rover BAR

start dating with another win putting them one step closer to

victory here in Portsmouth. They are a tight-knit team, fully focused on

winning together in whatever they do, as I found out last week.

Sailing America's Cup boats is really full on, you've got to have

some relaxation. To get a bit of time off, what do they want to do?

Something competitive. I want to see a good 200 yard are

here unleashed. You be quiet. Heh heh! Nice. That's quite the opposite

of mine. Grown-up sailing against each other in the programme and

started match racing. In every book I have sailed with him I've always

wanted him to be the guy at the front, got confident he will do the

right thing at the right time, and then you can abuse him afterwards

when he does and which is just as much fun. We are good mates and

we've known each other for a long time and it's part of what makes us

so strong, when we get into the nitty-gritty bit of it, we just want

to work for each other. It is massively important, if you all pull

together you will be much better together. You are going to win this

hole, I can see it. He's the only one who can beat me. He's the only

one who can't hit the ball off the floor, can't hit it far enough to

lose it. Great guys to have on-board, you can guarantee that not

only they will give 100%, at the boat handling will always be spot

on. You can suggest something to them, it's all constructive just to

try to make the boat go faster. It's good to have that relationship with

the guys that everyone can say what they think and know one will take

offence and everyone will take it on board. I thought you were going to

get it close. No chance. Ho Ho! Bend's are really amazing guy.

There's a lot of joking. When it comes to getting serious it gets

properly serious. He's a mate all sailors and everything but he's

also, he wants to win as much as anyone, more than anyone, and is

pretty serious about getting the job done. He's probably the most focused

out of everyone that we get on the water, and he's a good example for

all of us. Then is probably the biggest man in our team. It's his

name above the door, he's the one that brings the money in, gets the

team rolling. He's putting everything into this and we need to

be doing the same. Come on then, you've got to make it off the tee.

Hey hey!. It's great to be part of something British. Everybody goes

that extra mile to try to help bring the cup home. To achieve something

that no other team has done that's represented this country basically

means everything and this is a massive opportunity for us to do it.

So all we want to do is get it done, bring it back. They are a passionate

bunch Sir Ben Ainslie has on-board. It was a lot of fun filming that.

There's no messing about now, they've got their game faces on.

Let's get back out on the water. COMMENTATOR: Lined up for race two,

the penultimate race of the Portsmouth event, just two more

chances to snaffle the valuable points, with the boats all vying for

position already. You could see it was all clear. Artemis Racing and

SoftBank Team Japan with really solid starts. Four boats in the

front line going into Mach number one with Ainslie getting spit out

the back a bit. On-board Oracle Team USA in these early stages as they

get up on the foils nice and quick. Just radical action! Oh, that's

fantastic. We go on board with Artemis Racing.

It is more like stockcar racing that anything we have seen. Cutting in

front is not exactly drafting but you are in a position to go three

wide going into a corner. Testing racing for all of these sailors and

everything happening at breakneck speed. Not a perfect job for Oracle

Team USA but they come out of it OK. You can see how unstable things get

from time to time, especially when gybing for positioning going into

gate number one. Fascinating on the water views of these things foaming.

Oracle Team USA setting the pace from SoftBank Team Japan and Artemis

Racing and Land Rover BAR contesting fourth and third. The French at the

back. Roles reversed in the second race of the day. It is the Americans

leading the way currently with a 90 metres lead over Land Rover BAR who

were victorious in the opening race of the day. Jimmy Spittal Hill and

Sir Ben Ainslie going head-to-head once more at the front of the fleet.

They will love this battle. Jimmy Spithill arrived with the stated

intention of spoiling Ben Ainslie's day. So many people have turned out

to see him. The most decorated Olympic sailor in history. A tight

battle between all three of these guys, Emirates Team New Zealand come

across ahead of Japan and Britain. This is a change of events. --

Britain. One point is so desperate for these guys. Ben Ainslie

concentrate so much on SoftBank Team Japan that he is passed by Emirates

Team New Zealand. These are the runaway leaders.

So well led by Jimmy Spittal, the youngest skipper to win the

America's Cup way back in 2010 as a 30-year-old before producing the

goods in 2013 in the waters of San Francisco. Tom Slingsby saying they

are on a match with Ben Ainslie, so they want to stay between Ben

Ainslie and the mark. Another fascinating dynamic. They want to

know how much the Americans are keeping a close eye on the Brits.

Are they keeping one eye all the time on Ben Ainslie and Land Rover

BAR. Right now they are. For two reasons, they want to beat them in

the race and they want to give Ben, if they are close enough, as much

disturbed air, wing wash as we call it, not much Jimmy Spithill can do

from an interference level on a downwind leg like this. He could

throw a bit of bad air, 34% of flight time in this race, not nearly

as good as 48% that Ben Ainslie had in the first race but not bad. It

will be interesting to see a comparison against everybody else

when the race is over. That number seeming to rise as they powered

downwind towards the finishing line. The Americans are some way out in

front, 26 knots being cranked up here. Land Rover BA are and Japan

occupying second and third places. The Americans are runaway leaders in

race two. Oracle Team USA and Jimmy Spithill rounding gate six and the

short stretch to the finish. They have been incredibly consistent here

in Portsmouth. They have yet to top the leaderboard. That will happen

here in a few moments time as they reorganise themselves and power

towards the finishing line. It will be a first victory here on the

Solent for Jimmy Spithill and Oracle Team USA. One in the eye for the

British crew and it has perhaps come from their main rival, Jimmy

Spithill and Oracle Team USA. Not far away, Land Rover BAR and Sir Ben

Ainslie but having to settle for second this time. The Japanese

following in behind them. That win for the American set up a tense

finish in Portsmouth. Land Rover BAR just three points ahead of Oracle

Team USA. This is it, the final race of the weekend. The points are so

close that it is all on. Last chance for the fleet to show their

capabilities in front of this huge crowd on the waterfront, the final

race of the day and of the series. Emirates Team New Zealand riding

very close to that marker but they are away. Oracle pulled the trigger

better than anyone else in that start. Ben Ainslie caught up in a

ball of four bugs but it looked like he might have escaped it but Oracle

mailed the timing. Oracle Team USA off to a great start. All hands to

the pump as they reach for the first mark with the bank looming

interview. We already have battle joined between Oracle Team USA and

Land Rover BAR. Sir Ben Ainslie looking to guide his crew to a

second victory today. So to, Jimmy Spithill, huge imbalance by the Land

Rover boat there. Not the smoothest gybe but this is a game of inches

right now so I don't think you can make any mistakes and come out

ahead. One bad gybe and look how big the lead is now for Oracle compare

to how it was before that gybe. Oracle Team USA hard at work.

Forcing that boat further, faster and stronger. Trying to apply

pressure at every key moment. The current leaders of this race. Oracle

Team USA. Streaking ahead and downwind to gate four. If the race

were to stop now, it would be Land Rover BAR who led the series as they

head to Bermuda next June. The first and second places in the America's

Cup World Series over all carry points through to the America's Cup

qualify as proper in Bermuda. With this setup right now and the double

points, I was not very good in mathematics at school, the Americans

are one point by kind, they need a boat between themselves and Ben

Ainslie. Will they be computing that on board? They will be talking about

it. They have to be talking about it. It depends if they are happy

with second place overall in the event. They could slow them down,

team New Zealand are not far behind now. Can they slay Ben Ainslie done

enough to get team New Zealand back in the game. It is tricky, they

would have to get one boat in between and going at speed it is not

easy. A game of cat and mouse out on the Solent. For the time being, no

sign of respite from Oracle Team USA. Oracle Team USA really sailing

high right now which means close to the wind. Land Rover double tacks

and so do Oracle, there is cat and mouse going on, I am surprised

Oracle has not come back a little more to affect them even more.

Interesting move by Ben Ainslie. He let team New Zealand go in the top

left of our screen. In order to stay with team Japan on this side of the

racecourse, he just needs to keep in second place. If he does too many

manoeuvres, he slows the game down and lets the others back in. Heading

towards gate five. That'll well and truly joined. Oracle Team USA 130

metres in front of the British boat. Going at some speed now. Another

manoeuvre from the Americans which will slow them up a touch. The

Americans tacked right on the lay line. Ben Ainslie tacks right on top

of Dean Barker to make sure he stays in between but where are the Kiwis?

Did they make enough of a game? It looks like Ben Ainslie is still

ahead of that pack as we go back out to the wide screen in a. You can see

Ben Ainslie racing right on top of SoftBank Team Japan. Same strategy

that Oracle would doing to him, he is doing to them. Using wing wash to

affect them and push them backwards. He now just needs a smooth ride into

the finish. Land Rover BAR into gate five, Emirates Team New Zealand are

in third place. Ben Ainslie and Land Rover BAR just need to finish

second, the regatta will be theirs and the series lead will be theirs

were just a single point. That is how tight this is right now. I was a

bit ignorant with my mathematics earlier on in this game but that is

the case. One boat has to be in between the Americans and the Brits

for the Americans to win. The Brits have been so smooth downwind. He is

looking around to deciding what to do, will they stop at this next gate

to mix it up on the last gate. Is that a possibility? Absolutely. Land

Rover BAR operating at speeds of up to 19 knots, slowing on the turn.

Looking to apply a little extra heat to Oracle Team USA. SoftBank Team

Japan some 130 metres behind the British boat. Seemingly second-place

in the bag but nothing can be discounted at this stage. Up towards

gate six. The final gate, it is a short finish remember. Oracle Team

USA seemingly intent on heading there at some lick. No slowing up

from the Americans. Land Rover BAR at ten behind them looking to finish

in second place and take the regatta and the America's Cup World Series

lead. Cheered on by the thousands on the waterfront, the union flags are

up but it is Oracle Team USA who win the race. And they are some 85

metres clear of Land Rover BAR who will scheme in for second place. It

will mean victory in the regatta here in Portsmouth. Active back wins

for the British boat. The double in Portsmouth for Land Rover BAR and

four Ben Ainslie. With it comes the series lead over all. Fantastic

racing, obviously a little bit of emotion. Everyone works hard out

there but to win in front of your home crowd, there is nothing more

special. It is amazing for us as a home team to be able to win these

home races. It is why we train and compete. We try and do Portsmouth

proud, a fantastic event. I cannot say enough about how well the guys

sailed these boats, it is meant to be tough to sail around these tight

courses. It was as good as anyone, if not better and put us in good

stead for the weekend. That is it for the weekend, what a win for the

local team, Land Rover BAR, topping the leaderboard import smut.

Ladies and gentlemen, the local team, Land Rover BAR. CHEERING

And there is now just one point separating first and second on the

World Series rankings. Land Rover BAR jumped up into first place but

right behind them, Oracle Team USA. Emirates Team New Zealand drop-down

two places to third. It has been quite a weekend here in Portsmouth.

That if that is a taster of what we can expect next year in Bermuda, we

are in for a real treat. This weekend will be remembered for the

home team Ben Ainslie and his boys delivering when it matters most.

Another special moment for British racing, victory in the regatta here

in Portsmouth and with it comes the series lead over all.

This place is home to more than 80,000 refugees,