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Duchess meets Sir Ben Ainslie's UK America's Cup bid team
The Duchess of Cambridge is meeting supporters of the bid to launch a British team to take part in sailing competition the America's Cup. Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie is seeking to enter a British team in the 35th America's Cup, to be held in 2017.
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Sir Ben Ainslie 'very impressed' with Kate's knowledge
Sir Ben Ainslie has told ITV News he was "very impressed" with the Duchess of Cambridge's design knowledge and her support for a British team to take part in the America's Cup.
"She is obviously passionate about British sport, and the America's Cup is something through sailing that is close to her heart ... we're very grateful for that support," the Olympic gold medallist added.
Duchess views the America's Cup at Greenwich
The America's Cup was on display at the Greenwich Maritime Museum in London, as the Duchess met with supporters of Sir Ben Ainslie's bid to launch a British team to take part in the competition.
Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie is seeking to enter a British team in the 35th America's Cup, to be held in 2017.
The oldest trophy in sport was first offered as the One Hundred Pound Cup in 1851 for a race around the Isle of Wight, witnessed by Queen Victoria.
The first race was won by the schooner America, from New York, which beat a fleet of British boats sailing around the island.
American teams successfully defended all challenges for 132 years, until an Australian team won in 1983.
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Kate meets UK America's Cup bid team
The Duchess of Cambridge met with Sir Ben Ainslie and supporters of a bid to launch a British team in the sailing competition the America's Cup.
Duchess greets supporters of UK America's Cup bid
The Duchess of Cambridge met with the various supporters involved in attempting to launch a UK team in sailing's premier competition, the America's cup.
Kate met with crew and boat designers outside the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, and will be shown an America's Cup class boat inside.
First America's Cup race took place round Isle of Wight
Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie is attempting to enter a British team into the 35th America's Cup in 2017.
The UK enjoys a rich history in the competition with the first ever race taking place off the Isle of Wight in the mid-19th Century.
The oldest trophy in sport was first offered as the One Hundred Pound Cup in 1851 for a race around the Isle of Wight, witnessed by Queen Victoria.
The first race was won by the schooner America, from New York, which beat a fleet of British boats.
American teams successfully defended all challenges for 132 years, until an Australian team won in 1983. Britain has never won the America's Cup.
Duchess to meet supporters of UK America's Cup team
The Duchess of Cambridge will meet supporters of the bid to launch a British team to take part in sailing's premier competition the America's Cup.
Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie wants to enter a British team in the 35th America's Cup, which will be held in 2017, after his friend Andrew 'Bart' Simpson died while competing in the event last year.
However, Sir Ben's aim depends on the development of design and technology skills in the UK to ensure Britain has the expertise to build a boat capable of winning the famous cup.
The Duchess will today meet crew and boat designers and see an America's Cup class boat, during a breakfast reception at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.