INEOS TEAM UK’s new race boat for the 36th America’s Cup heads to New Zealand
The second race boat built by INEOS TEAM UK in their bid to win the America’s Cup, sport’s oldest international trophy, is bound for New Zealand.
The 75-foot race boat (code named RB2), that will race in the America’s Cup from January 2021, was helped onboard an Antonov cargo plane by the team’s uncompromising new prototype INEOS Grenadier 4 × 4, before being secured for take-off.
The precious cargo will now start a four-day journey to Auckland, New Zealand, where INEOS TEAM UK are ready for her arrival.
The journey to Auckland began on Friday 25th September from the team’s base in Portsmouth, where the Union Jack hanger doors opened to reveal a wrapped boat ready for its 11,000 mile, two stopover journey on the 1987 Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane.
Once the race boat arrives at the newly constructed INEOS TEAM UK base in the Viaduct, Auckland, the final fit out will be completed ready for her launch and maiden sail in October.
Four times Olympic Gold medalist, America’s Cup winner, Team Principal and Skipper Sir Ben Ainslie is currently in two-week mandatory quarantine in New Zealand and counting down the days until sailing operations begin.
