On October 13th last year Ben Ainslie’s British challenger squared up against Emirates Team New Zealand in the opening race of the 37th America’s Cup Match. It was a milestone moment for UK sailing as Ainslie’s syndicate became the first British challenge for 60 years to make it into an America’s Cup final.
Meanwhile, for British sailor Dylan Fletcher – port helm opposite Ainslie aboard the high-tech foiling monohull AC75 – it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream to one day compete for his country in sailing’s most ancient and prestigious competition.
Fletcher’s America’s Cup dream dates back to his teenage years, when he was an up-and-coming youth sailor competing in the double-handed 29er skiff class who had already set his sights on winning an Olympic gold medal. After a successful transition into the 49er, Fletcher – sailing with Alain Sign – finished sixth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the following cycle in Tokyo, Japan, – this time crewed by 470 silver-medallist, Stuart Bithell – he clinched the gold medal spot after edging out the reigning Olympic champions, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke from New Zealand.
