Sir Ben Ainslie hits out at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS after America's Cup split

Ineos Britannia have announced a parting of the ways with Sir Ben Ainslie as the team’s challenge for the 38th America’s Cup was confirmed.

Sir Ben Ainslie has hit out at Ineos Britannia after they confirmed their challenge for the 38th America's Cup would not involve the four-time Olympic champion.

A British boat has never won the America's Cup, but Ainslie's crew overcame Italy in the Louis Vuitton Cup series to qualify for the showpiece event for the first time since 1964.

It was, though, Emirates Team New Zealand who went on to claim the Auld Mug for the third consecutive time after skipper Peter Burling guided them to a 7-2 win in Barcelona last October.

Following the defeat, Ainslie - who won the America's Cup as part of Team USA in 2013 - had vowed to come back even stronger with the next bid to end Great Britain's 173-year wait for success.

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However, on Thursday, Ineos announced that, while there will be another challenge launched, Ainslie would not be at the helm, with Dave Endean appointed as chief executive of the team's project.

"Ineos will enter a challenge for the 38th America's Cup under the team name INEOS Britannia after parting ways with Sir Ben Ainslie," a statement from Ineos read.

"Unfortunately, Ineos Britannia and Sir Ben could not find agreement on terms to move forward following the conclusion of the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona.

"Ineos Britannia has appointed Dave Endean as CEO, who brings immense experience in sailing and the America's Cup."

Sir Ben Ainslie and Sir Jim Ratcliffe celebrate Ineos' Louis Vuitton Cup series victory which sealed America's Cup qualification

The news prompted a furious response from Ainslie through his team Athena Racing.

A statement read: "The British Challenger for the 38th America's Cup, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, was astounded to read today's statement from INEOS and Mercedes F1 regarding their planned challenge for the 38th America's Cup.

"This plan raises significant legal and practical obstacles for them that will play out in the coming days and weeks.

"Furthermore, Sir Ben Ainslie's British America's Cup team will be known as Athena Racing going forwards, aligning with the British Women's and Youth America's Cup team, the Athena Pathway."

Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe feels that despite the departure of Ainslie, the team has a strong base for the next challenge.

"I am enormously proud of what we achieved in Barcelona in developing a British boat that was truly competitive for the first time in decades," Ratcliffe said.

"It set new benchmarks for British sailing, including winning the Louis Vuitton Cup for the first time, and taking races off the defender in the finals for the first time in 90 years.

"We will now build upon this for the 38th America's Cup through the Ineos challenge and already have 100 scientists and engineers working on the design of our AC38 yacht."