Sir Ben Ainslie made an expletive comment towards a commentator after INEOS Britannia slipped to another defeat in the America’s Cup.
The United Kingdom’s Royal Yacht Squadron representatives are the challengers in the historic sailing competition having won the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Ainslie is the 37th America’s Cup challenger skipperGetty
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are the defenders of the title in Barcelona and have already made great strides in their bid to retain it.
The reigning champions extended their lead in the best-of-13 race to 3-0 on Sunday, and INEOS Britannia skipper Ainslie appeared frustrated.
“Still believe that you’re as close [to New Zealand] when it comes to performance? Because I get that feeling coming off your boat,” asked commentator Stephen McIvor.
Ainslie, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, laughingly replied: “Well, maybe that’s the Kiwi commentator in you mate.”
“Okay, I’ll take that that one on the chin buddy,” the New Zealand sport broadcasting veteran McIvor said in response.
However, Ainslie’s microphone was still on when he seemingly went to mutter under his breath: “F****** w*****.”
Whilst McIvor may not have intentionally looked to insult the skipper, Ainslie was not pleased with his line of questioning.
“I just thought it was a bit of a stupid comment from the Kiwi commentator,” he said afterwards, as quoted by the Daily Telegraph.
“But I think it’s good for our team, you know? It’s good motivation.”
INEOS Britannia’s Louis Vuitton Cup victory against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli of Italy saw them break a 60-year wait for the America’s Cup.
Commentator McIvor asked Ainslie about his team’s chances of successGetty
Ainslie initially laughed at the questionLouis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona YouTube
However, his mic was still on and he called him a ‘f****** w*****’Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona YouTube
They are the first British team to compete in the race since 1964 when Tony Boyden and his Sovereign yacht lost to Eric Ridder and Constellation of the United States’ New York Yacht Club.
However, Ainslie and his Britannia RB3 look set to fall short this time round and extend the UK’s wait for a first ever America’s Cup win.
New Zealand made it 4-0 on Monday in the postponed fourth race following a lack of wind in Barcelona the day before.
Wednesday sees the fifth and sixth races take place off the coast of the Spanish city.
Should New Zealand win both, they could win the America’s Cup in Friday’s first race by claiming the crucial 7-0 scoreline.
Ainslie’s INEOS team are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns a minority stake at Manchester UnitedGetty
