Spithill excited by America's Cup challenge

jimmyspithill

Winner of the last two events in 2010 and 2013, Spithill is aiming for a hat-trick of triumphs in 2017.

The 35th edition of the Cup begins next year, in the America's Cup World Series, before the field will be narrowed to just two - Oracle Team and a top challenger.

Swedish team Artemis Racing have been confirmed as possible challengers, as have Emirates Team New Zealand and Team France.

Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge are also in the field, along with Ben Ainslie Racing, led by Great Britain's four-time Olympic gold medalist. 

"It's exciting to look at the roster of teams who are lining up against us," Spithill said.

"We're facing five strong challengers who have a lot of resources, talent and experience.

"But our team is very competitive. We love challenges - the bigger, the better. It's very easy to get motivated when you see what we're going to be facing."

Meanwhile, three-time Olympic medalist Ian Percy, of Artemis, wants his team to prove itself as a force in the event over the next 10 years.

"We are not only in this competition to win the 35th America's Cup, but to dominate the America's Cup arena for the next decade," he said.

"I'm also passionate that Artemis Racing is about more than simply winning; it's about producing a legacy and winning in a certain way."

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