Video: Disappointing America's Cup result for Land Rover BAR

Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR team placed fifth following two days of America's Cup World Series racing in New York.

A combination of strong tide and unpredictable wind left a frustrated Land Rover BAR team trailing fifth in New York.

Racing had to abandoned on 7 May as a result of the Hudson River’s powerful tidal current and a lack of wind. A promised late improvement in conditions didn’t arrive in time to save the official day’s racing.

The single race that did start saw all but one boat pushed over the line early by the tide, and half the fleet unable to make it to the first mark against the current.

Land Rover BAR sometimes see similar conditions at home in the Solent and the team looked comfortable, holding second place when the race was abandoned.

However, despite some good starts, the team slipped to fifth place following racing on 8 May.

Emirates Team New Zealand, who were dead last after hooking up the starting mark, ended up winning the race, giving the team its second event victory. This means Emirates Team New Zealand maintain their overall series lead.

Speaking after the racing, Land Rover BAR skipper Sir Ben Ainslie said: “It’s hard to describe racing in those conditions. It was fantastic to see so many people out supporting the event. It’s such a great city. The last two races, the guy in last place at the penultimate mark, won the race on the penultimate leg.”

He continued: “So as competitors that’s tough to deal with, but that’s the game. We knew it would be like that going into this event, and you roll the dice and see which side of it you come out. Unfortunately it didn’t go well for us today, so the guys are frustrated. I think we sailed the boat really well, and did everything just about as good as we could, but it just didn’t fall our way.”

Making his America’s Cup World Series’ debut in New York was former 49er sailor, Ed Powys.

He said it was a fantastic feeling to be part of the Land Rover BAR team despite the result.

“It was a tricky sailing day, it felt like we sailed the boat well, and we were in a good position on the last downwind which is what you need to do on those kind of days, but it didn’t quite come off for us. The Kiwis rounded in last and got a great gust and ended up winning the regatta. Over a short series like this in crazy conditions that can happen, but we’re trying to be philosophical about it. We feel like we sailed well and we’ll move onto the next one,” noted Powys.

Overall results – Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series New York
1. Emirates Team New Zealand 52
2. ORACLE TEAM USA 50
3. Groupama Team France 44
4. SoftBank Team Japan 42
5. Land Rover BAR 42

Overall Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series after 5 events

1. Emirates Team New Zealand 244
2. ORACLE TEAM USA 236
3. Land Rover BAR 227
4. SoftBank Team Japan 203
5. Artemis Racing 201
6. Groupama Team France 194