So many factors deliver the victory in sport, and when Sir Ben Ainslie and INEOS Britannia set sail in search of a win in the 37th Americas Cup they will hope the input of engineering firm par excellence, Renishaw, helps make the vital difference.
The Gloucestershire business, which has previously worked at sports highest level with British Cycling, Olympic bobsleigh teams, and the UK’s land speed record attempt Bloodhound, will provide additive manufacturing (AM) and position measurement expertise to help fine tune INEOS Britannia's awesome carbon-fibre yacht.
Every team in the 37th America's Cup will be racing AC75 advanced sailing boats that can travel four times
faster than the wind. And, equipped with some of the best of British
technology, the 75-foot foiling monohull Britannia will be able to reach
speeds of up to 50 knots – over 60 miles per hour!
Michel Marie, manufacturing manager at INEOS Britannia, said: ‘Renishaw has been a valuable support, providing world-class engineering and design expertise as we’ve competed to bring the cup home.’
Finlay Evans, technical leader for Renishaw, which employs 2,200 staff in Gloucestershire and turned over £671.1 million last year, said: ‘Renishaw has been proud to contribute its expertise to the INEOS Britannia for many years.'
To showcase
sustainable innovation, all teams involved will also adapt the boats in
accordance with the shared sustainability goals written into the America’s Cup
rules.
INEOS Britannia is using recycled carbon from West Midlands-based recovery plant, ELG Carbon Fibre.
Sailing clubs have competed for the America’s Cup since 1851, when the United States’ schooner beat a fleet of British yachts in a race around the Isle of Wight.
The Challenger Selection Series will take place in September 2024, where teams including INEOS Britannia will compete to determine who will face the defending Emirates Team New Zealand in the final in October 2024.
