Sir Ben Ainslie's British America's Cup challenger Land Rover BAR hosted a visit at their Portsmouth home from Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge - the Royal Patron of the team's official charity, the 1851 Trust.
Ainslie is looking to have the Americas Cup moved to the UK if he is successful on the waters of the Great Sound in 2017.
The Duchess also took 'flight' with the team on-board their test boat 'T1' - a foiling AC45 catamaran - taking control and steering the boat out on the race course for the forthcoming Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Portsmouth (LVACWS) event from July 22nd – 24th.
During the training session on the Solent, home to the original America's Cup race course in 1851, the team reached speeds of 33 knots (38 mph) in perfect, but demanding conditions.
Ainslie said, "It was fantastic to take our Royal Patron on-board T1 during our training session on the Solent. We gave her the helm and we were flying along at 33 knots, out on the ACWS Portsmouth race course, you can tell she has done a lot of sailing, she was a natural on-board.
Ainsle concluded, "It is also great to have The Duchess' support with opening the team's new 'Tech Deck' and Education Centre. A lot of work has gone into developing this facility for young people and we hope to inspire more young people to consider opportunities and careers within STEM subjects and the marine sector in the future."
