Ainslie handed America's Cup warning (From Daily Echo)

Ainslie handed America's Cup warning

7:40am Thursday 12th January 2012 in News

FOUR-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts has warned new boy Ben Ainslie that his Olympic success doesn’t guarantee an easy ride when he joins the World Series later this year.

Triple gold medallist Ainslie announced this week that after the London 2012 Games he will lead a team in the America’s Cup World Series, underwritten by current America’s Cup holders Oracle Racing to the tune of €3m.

But New Zealander Coutts, who like Ainslie comes from an Olympic sailing background, said the 34-year-old from Lymington will face challenges in racing high speed AC45 catamarans against the best sailors in the world.

“He’s a great sailor but the fact that he’s a four-times Olympic medallist doesn’t guarantee that there aren’t times when he could end up with egg on his face,” Coutts warned.

“These boats are pretty challenging to sail. Things just happen faster and you’ve got to try to react faster.”

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