Plane sailing: engineering an assault on the America's Cup

If you’re interested in boats there are few more fascinating places to while away the hours than Portsmouth harbour: where an endless flotilla of superyachts, passenger ferries, towering warships and even the occasional hovercraft form what’s surely the UK’s most varied and dynamic maritime landscape.

But of all the vessels that head in and out of this historic port there is perhaps one that catches the eye more than any other: its futuristic curves, giant fibreglass sail, elegant hydrofoils, and energetic crew marking it out as something special.

For Portsmouth is the home of Land Rover BAR (Ben Ainslie Racing), the company set up by the four times Olympic sailing champion with the specific intention of bringing sailing’s most prestigious trophy – the America’s Cup – back to Britain. And the boat currently under development at the team’s sparkling new HQ is one of the most advanced, high-tech racing vessels ever to be built in the UK.