"Time will tell if this is the best British team ever."
That was the message out of the Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) camp after Sir Ben Ainslie's British challenge announced a huge sponsorship deal for their 2021 America's Cup campaign.
The deal will pump NZ$216 million into the challenge,which would allow them to properly fund a two-boat strategy for the 36th America's Cup.
The syndicate, who will be renamed INEOS Team Great Britain, lost to ETNZ in the semifinal of the 2017 challenger playoffs in Bermuda, and were always expected to be strong again in 2021.
"The British team were always going to be competitive, very competitive," ETNZ said. "Ben is the most decorated Olympic sailor in history and we know him well from his time working for Emirates Team New Zealand and, as a team, we remain good friends."
Formerly known as Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing, the syndicate will continue to represent the Royal Yacht Squadron's affiliated club, Royal Yacht Squadron Racing.
The deal was reported to be the largest investment in a British challenger, as they looked to bring the Auld Mug home for the first time since the competition's inception in 1851.
The America's Cup was first contested in the Isle of Wight and won by the American yacht 'America'.
