INEOS Britannia had their eye on the prize – to win the 37th America’s Cup. But this time it wasn’t to be. As the Official Defender Of Record for the 38th America’s Cup, it’s time to reflect on what could have been. In this frank interview with Ben Ainslie on The Inside Tack and Performance People, he talks of the lessons learnt, some key moments in the Cup, and he reflects on the intensity of leading a Cup campaign.
To remind ourselves of the level of commitment undertaken by the team, we’ve chosen a few episodes of The Inside Tack recorded during the Cup campaign. These highlight the importance of: nutrition, of a well-oiled shore team, the power generated by the cyclors, and their collab with F1’s Mercedes team for cutting-edge performance options.
Nutrition and performance
We hear from two pivotal members of the team who were responsible for the nutrition and performance of the cyclors. Pete Cunningham, Head of Human Performance, with a resume that includes six Olympic and two America’s Cup campaigns, provides insight into the rigorous high-performance demands placed on the cyclors. Nick Holt, the team’s Head Chef, highlights the crucial role nutrition plays in meeting these demands for athletes, alongside feeding the hundred-plus wider team who worked 24/7 to make every day on the water count. They discuss the critical role of nutrition and human performance science in the America’s Cup.
F1 collaborates with INEOS Britannia
Toto Wolff and Sir Ben Ainslie sat down to discuss the different ways that the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team collaborated with INEOS Britannia in their bid to win this year’s America’s Cup.
Cyclors – the human batteries
We meet two remarkable America’s Cup ‘cyclors’. Neil Hunter – this was his third America’s Cup – transitioned from a traditional grinder to a cyclor whilst still being a grinder in SailGP. And Ryan Todhunter, who made the leap from rowing to sailing. Discover how these athletes powered the hydraulics to control the sails. Hear their insights on the intense physical demands, teamwork and technology. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of roles in America’s Cup sailing.
The importance of a good shore team
Andrew Henderson and Sophie Heritage talk all things shore team. The veteran and the rookie talk about their roles in keeping the boat in optimal condition.
