America’s Cup – Athena Racing lodge amended Court papers in dispute with Ineos Racing

Aug 24, 2026

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The America’s Cup related legal row between Athena Racing (Sir Ben Ainslie) and Ineos Racing Ltd (Sir Jim Ratcliffe) has surfaced again at the UK Admiralty Court with the deposit of amended documents.

Richard Gladwell of Sail-World.com recently reported that late last week, Athena Racing lodged an amendment to their earlier Defence documents lodged on May 28, 2026. To which INEOS Racing responded six weeks later on July 13.

It now appears that Sir Ben Ainslie sent a letter to Jonny Ginns, a Director of INEOS Sport, which requested . . . “that the Claimant consider in good faith a proposal that the Defendant Claimant would retain these assets for the purposes of competing in AC38.”

That request was declined outright by Ineos.

INEOS Racing have consented to the admission of the latest Amended Defence, and the Admiralty Court has given INEOS Racing the opportunity to respond by September 15, 2026.

The case is expected to be heard at the High Court, but it is unlikely to be heard this year, or even before the 38th America’s Cup Match, scheduled for 2027 at Naples.

AC38 GB1 — *AC38 – Ac75 GB1 in modification*

Ben Ainslie has continued with work to upgrade the AC75 Britannia – renamed GB1 – in dispute, without announcing detailed progress or where the work is being carried out Although a recent statement indicated that work was underway in stripping the old equipment.

The Team has also continued with the construction of their America’s Cup base at Bagnoli, Naples, for the 38th America’s Cup.

The British Team is the Challenger of Record for the 38th America’s Cup, and is taking part in preliminary racing events being sailed in the smaller AC40 boats. The next round of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples, has competitive racing days from 25 to 27 Sept 2026.

The 38th America’s Cup Match is scheduled to take place from the 10 to 19 July 2027. Following the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series 2027 in May/June 2027, in the AC75s.