Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, he has competed and medalled at five Olympic games. At his first ever Olympic Games, aged 19, he won an Olympic silver medal and went on to establish himself as the world’s best by winning consecutive gold medals at the next four Olympic Games. Fresh from his London 2012 success, Ben turned his focus to the next challenge, competing with Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) on the 2012/13 America’s Cup World Series. In the summer of 2013, he went on to join ORACLE TEAM USA on-board for their defence of the 34th Cup, helping the American team win the event, 9-8, against Emirates Team New Zealand.

Ben was an instrumental part in one of the greatest comebacks sport has ever seen, becoming the first Briton, for 110 years, to be part of a winning Cup team.

Ben is now the Team Principal and Skipper of Britain’s America’s Cup team. The team won the 2015/16 Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, racing in identical 45-foot foiling catamarans and in 2017 he led his first British Challenger to compete in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda.

Ben will to lead INEOS Team GB’s challenge to compete and win the 36th America’s Cup.

Career highlights:
2015/16: Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series winner
2013: Winner 34th America’s Cup with OTUSA (San Francisco, USA)
2013: Broke the ‘Round the Island Race Multihull record’ with J.P. Morgan BAR in the AC45
London 2012 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup, Valencia – Spain with Team NZ
Athens 2004 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games: Silver Medal
11 times World Champion
Nine times European Champion
Four times World Sailor of the Year

Grant Simmer is CEO of Britain’s America’s Cup team. He has competed in 10 America's Cup cycles, winning sport's oldest international trophy four times. His first Cup experience was as a young navigator aboard Australia II's, during their historic victory in 1983, breaking America's 132-year stronghold on the Cup. It was the first time in the competition's history that the trophy had left American shores. The Australian born sailor/designer has gone on to win the America's Cup three further times as head of design, managing director and general manager with Swiss team Alinghi and more recently with ORACLE TEAM USA.

Career highlights:
2013: Winner 34th America’s Cup with OTUSA (San Francisco, USA)
2013: Inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame
2003 & 2007: Winner America’s Cup with Alinghi (Auckland, New Zeland & Valencia, Spain)
1983: Winner America’s Cup Australia II (Newport, USA)

Nick is Chief Designer of the British Challenge. Originally a University of Auckland graduate in Mechanical Engineering, Holroyd began to specialise in sailboat racing with an MSc in Maritime CFD and Applied Mechanics at the University of Southampton. He followed that with an 18-year stint at Team New Zealand, beginning in 1997 as a foil designer and naval architect for the team that won the 30th America's Cup in Auckland in 2000. Before joining the British entry, Nick was formerly the Technical Director at Softbank Team Japan for the 35th America's Cup.

A three-times America’s Cup winner, New Zealand’s Jonathan ‘Jono’ Macbeth is the most successful and experienced America’s Cup (AC) sailor in the team. Jono’s Cup career started when he joined ‘Team New Zealand’ in 1997 ahead of their successful defense of the 31st America’s Cup in 2000. He moved across to BMW ORACLE Racing to campaign for the 33rd Cup in 2010 and claimed his second AC win in Valencia, Spain.
Jono shared AC success alongside Ben Ainslie and Grant Simmer, racing as a grinder on-board winning 34th America’s Cup team, ORACLE TEAM USA. His relationship with Ben dates back to 2007, when they joined forces on-board Team New Zealand to win the Louis Vuitton Cup in Spain. Jono takes on the position of Sailing Team Manager.

Career Highlights:
2015/16: Winner Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series (Team Manager) 
2013: Defender and Winner – 34th America’s Cup, with ORACLE TEAM USA 
2010: Winner – 33rd America’s Cup, with BMW ORACLE Racing
2007: Challenger and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, with Team New Zealand
2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup, with Team New Zealand
2003: Defender and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, with Team New Zealand
2000: Defender and winner – 31st America’s Cup, with Team New Zealand

Jo is the CMO/CCO for Britain's America's Cup team. Jo has worked alongside Sir Ben Ainslie for 17 years securing all his commercial funding through three Olympic campaigns and in 2011 the pair set the
strategy of setting up a British America’s Cup team, to challenge for and win the trophy for Britain.
 
A mother of two teenage daughters who lives in Gurnard on the Isle of Wight, keen recreational cyclist and runner. In 2018 Jo ran the London Marathon for Heads Together, having previously cycled from London to Paris and rowed the English Channel for charity.
 
Jo started her working life at Lloyds Bank International, but her love of sailing eventually pulled her from the City to compete on the International Match Racing Circuit for four years with double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson. The team were ranked number one in the world for over 12 months.
 
Whilst competing on the sailing circuit, Jo freelanced as a sailing writer and TV news producer. These tools along with her marketing background proved invaluable when she started the sports marketing agency, Into the Blue in 2005.

Michel Marie was born in France and is married to a New Zealander. He graduated from the University of Caen in Physics and Measurements and studied Construction Technologies at the University of Nantes. He twice raced the Mini-Transat on boats he designed and built himself. He subsequently competed in the Whitbread Round the World Race as a bowman aboard Rucanor Sport before moving into boat-building, initially with Marten Marine in New Zealand. His first involvement with the America’s Cup was with the construction and shore team of Le Défi Français in 1992. He has since competed in five Cups, most recently holding senior management positions with Alinghi (2000 – 2007) and BMW Oracle Racing (2007 – 2010) for three America’s Cup victories. He has also worked on the construction and project management for yachts as diverse as Mari Cha III (carbon fibre cruiser), RAN 5 (72’ Mini Maxi), Merit Cup (Whitbread 60) and Merit / La Poste (Maxi IOR Whitbread)

James began his marine career with a brief period as a trainee sailmaker at North Sails, but quickly moved onto the regatta circuit, sailing as a bowman, and working on boat build, refit and maintenance projects. He spent many successful years on the World Match Racing Tour, as well as competing in the Admiral’s Cup, Med Cup and many other top flight events. James raced in the 2003 America’s Cup with GBR Challenge. He slowly moved into project management and has brought to life a succession of high profile and successful racing boats.

Matt joins the team as Head of Finance. He comes from a background of Engineering & Construction and Project Finance, helping Finance teams to understand and interact with everyone in the organisation to provide a first-class finance service. He has graduated from Manchester University with a degree in International Management with French. In his spare time, Matt enjoys training for triathlons and doing charity work. 

Giles was born in 1987 in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire UK and studied Geography at Southampton University.

Giles had a successful youth sailing career before going on to win the RYA Youth Championships and Trials in 2005 in the Laser Standard, followed by a gold medal at the ISAF World Youth Championships. In 2006, Giles started sailing the Finn Olympic single-handed dinghy, he instantly took to the boat and in his first year finished 14th at the World Championships. Giles progressed up the ranks, winning the 2011 Finn European and World Championships, and pushing Ben Ainslie all the way in selection trials for the Team GBR spot at the London 2012 Olympics.

He then moved into the America’s Cup circuit first on board with Team Korea which led to joining the Italian Challenger, Prada Luna Rossa for the 34th America’s Cup in 2013.

Back in the Finn, during the 2014 season Giles was head and shoulders above the rest of fleet, picking up seven consecutive regatta victories. He looked untouchable in his build-up to the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds, and delivered with an exemplary performance to comfortably win his second Finn world title. Giles went on to achieve his Olympic dream by dominating the Finn Class at 2016 Rio Olympics and bringing gold back to Britain.

Straight after the 2016 games, Giles returned to America’s Cup racing re-joining Ben Ainslie’s British Challenger to compete in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda. He is now campaigning for his third America’s Cup, helping the British entry prepare for the 36th America's Cup in 2021 and continuing the journey to bring the Cup home.

Career highlights:
2017: Semi-finalist 35th America’s Cup, Bermuda
2016: Olympic Gold, Rio 2016
2015/16: Winner Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series 
2014: ISAF Sailing Finn World Champion
2014: Rio International Sailing Regatta 2014 (Rio 2016 Test Event), gold medal
2014: Finn European Champion
Over 15 gold medal wins at European and International regattas since 2008
2013: Runner up – Louis Vuitton Cup, Prada Luna Rossa Challenge, AC72
2012/13: Winner – ACWS Prada Luna Rossa Challenge, AC45
2012: ACWS San Francisco – Team Korea
2011 ISAF Sailing Finn World Champion
Bronze medal at World and European Laser Radial Youth Championships
2005: Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships

Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, he has competed and medalled at five Olympic games. At his first ever Olympic Games, aged 19, he won an Olympic silver medal and went on to establish himself as the world’s best by winning consecutive gold medals at the next four Olympic Games. Fresh from his London 2012 success, Ben turned his focus to the next challenge, competing with Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) on the 2012/13 America’s Cup World Series. In the summer of 2013, he went on to join ORACLE TEAM USA on-board for their defence of the 34th Cup, helping the American team win the event, 9-8, against Emirates Team New Zealand.

Ben was an instrumental part in one of the greatest comebacks sport has ever seen, becoming the first Briton, for 110 years, to be part of a winning Cup team.

Ben is now the Team Principal and Skipper of Britain’s America’s Cup team. The team won the 2015/16 Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, racing in identical 45-foot foiling catamarans and in 2017 he led his first British Challenger to compete in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda.

Ben will to lead INEOS Team GB’s challenge to compete and win the 36th America’s Cup.

Career highlights:
2015/16: Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series winner
2013: Winner 34th America’s Cup with OTUSA (San Francisco, USA)
2013: Broke the ‘Round the Island Race Multihull record’ with J.P. Morgan BAR in the AC45
London 2012 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup, Valencia – Spain with Team NZ
Athens 2004 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Sydney 2000 Olympic Games: Gold Medal
Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games: Silver Medal
11 times World Champion
Nine times European Champion
Four times World Sailor of the Year

Giles was born in 1987 in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire UK and studied Geography at Southampton University.

Giles had a successful youth sailing career before going on to win the RYA Youth Championships and Trials in 2005 in the Laser Standard, followed by a gold medal at the ISAF World Youth Championships. In 2006, Giles started sailing the Finn Olympic single-handed dinghy, he instantly took to the boat and in his first year finished 14th at the World Championships. Giles progressed up the ranks, winning the 2011 Finn European and World Championships, and pushing Ben Ainslie all the way in selection trials for the Team GBR spot at the London 2012 Olympics.

He then moved into the America’s Cup circuit first on board with Team Korea which led to joining the Italian Challenger, Prada Luna Rossa for the 34th America’s Cup in 2013.

Back in the Finn, during the 2014 season Giles was head and shoulders above the rest of fleet, picking up seven consecutive regatta victories. He looked untouchable in his build-up to the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds, and delivered with an exemplary performance to comfortably win his second Finn world title. Giles went on to achieve his Olympic dream by dominating the Finn Class at 2016 Rio Olympics and bringing gold back to Britain.

Straight after the 2016 games, Giles returned to America’s Cup racing re-joining Ben Ainslie’s British Challenger to compete in the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda. He is now campaigning for his third America’s Cup, helping the British entry prepare for the 36th America's Cup in 2021 and continuing the journey to bring the Cup home.

Career highlights:
2017: Semi-finalist 35th America’s Cup, Bermuda
2016: Olympic Gold, Rio 2016
2015/16: Winner Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series 
2014: ISAF Sailing Finn World Champion
2014: Rio International Sailing Regatta 2014 (Rio 2016 Test Event), gold medal
2014: Finn European Champion
Over 15 gold medal wins at European and International regattas since 2008
2013: Runner up – Louis Vuitton Cup, Prada Luna Rossa Challenge, AC72
2012/13: Winner – ACWS Prada Luna Rossa Challenge, AC45
2012: ACWS San Francisco – Team Korea
2011 ISAF Sailing Finn World Champion
Bronze medal at World and European Laser Radial Youth Championships
2005: Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships

Ben Williams is the Head of Strength and Conditioning for INEOS TEAM UK, and his job is to physically prepare the sailors off the water, to maximise their potential in training and competition on the water.

Before joining the team Ben worked in Judo, Triathlon, Motorsport and Specialist rehabilitation and has over 10 years’ experience in Elite Sport.

Ben’s hobbies also include endurance sports, he has competed in the Marathon des Sables (MdS), Ironman triathlon and the Race Across America (RAAM). These are arguably three of the hardest races in the world. He also enjoys cycling, skiing and sailing.

From Chertsey, UK, Rob was a keen sailor from a young age. He studied chemistry at undergraduate level at the University of Bristol, before achieving an MBa from the University of Southampton. During this time, Rob sailed in the British Sailing Team in the Tornado. He then became a coach and has since been acknowledged in the UK Sport ‘Coaches Hall of Fame’ by HRH Princess Royal. His coaching resume includes helping Helena Lucas to Paralympic 2012 Gold, The Wave Muscat to Extreme Sailing Series wins in 2012 and 2013, and Alegre to a Mini Maxi World Championship and the team to become America's Cup World Series champions. 

Leigh McMillan grew up on the Isle of Wight, and began sailing with his father, who skippered classic yachts. He progressed to dinghies at the age of eight, representing Britain at the Optimist Europeans and Worlds. He moved into the Laser Radial and won the Youth Nationals, before transferring to the Hobie 16 when it became an ISAF class for the Youth Worlds. McMillan competed in the Youth World Championships in South Africa in the Hobie 16, and this began his career in multihulls.

He qualified to represent Team GBR in Athens in 2004, placing 13th. McMillan qualified again in 2008 after a series of podiums at major international regattas, but finished 6th. The multihull event was then dropped from the Olympics, which forced McMillan to look in a new direction.

The answer was the Extreme 40, first developed in 2004 and 2005 as a short course racing multihull. Leigh McMillan joined the debutant circuit in 2005 and 2006, when it was part of the Volvo Ocean Race, before returning to the Olympics. Once the 2008 Games were over, McMillan rejoined the circuit, racing for various teams before joining Oman Sail mid-season in 2011. He has subsequently won two championship titles, along with the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour in 2015.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 35th America's Cup, Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finalist 
• Team GBR Olympic representative in multihull in 2004 and 2008
• Winner Extreme Sailing Series 2012 and 2013
• Winner Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour 2015

PROFILE

New Zealander and British citizen, Andrew ‘Animal’ McLean is an experienced inshore and offshore racer. He has campaigned four times for the America’s Cup, twice for his home country New Zealand, and competed in two editions of the global Volvo Ocean Race (VOR).

Most recently he competed in the 2012/13 America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) and the 30th Louis Vuitton Cup with Artemis Racing, on-board as a grinder and part of the performance and instruments shore team.

He also competed in the last edition of the VOR as Pitman/Trimmer on-board Team Camper, enjoying a second place finish, after making his VOR debut in 2008/09 on-board Green Dragon.

A qualified mechanical engineer, Andy was also part of the winning 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup team with fellow New Zealander and teammates, Jono Macbeth and Ben Ainslie. Andy also plays a vital role in INEOS TEAM UK as Team Leader of Systems Engineering.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2017: Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Series Semi Finalist
• 2015/2016: Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Champion
• 2013: 4th – 30th Anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Cup with Artemis Racing, AC72
• 2013: Broke the Round the Island Race multihull record with J.P. Morgan BAR in the AC45
• 2011/ 2012 Volvo Ocean Race with Team Camper, Pitman/Navigator – 2nd
• 2008/ 2009 Volvo Ocean Race with Green Dragon, Pitman/Navigator – 5th
• 2007: Challenger and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand
• 2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand
• 2003: Defender and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand

A three-times America’s Cup winner, New Zealand’s Jonathan ‘Jono’ Macbeth is the most successful and experienced America’s Cup (AC) sailor in the team. Jono’s Cup career started when he joined ‘Team New Zealand’ in 1997 ahead of their successful defense of the 31st America’s Cup in 2000. He moved across to BMW ORACLE Racing to campaign for the 33rd Cup in 2010 and claimed his second AC win in Valencia, Spain.
Jono shared AC success alongside Ben Ainslie and Grant Simmer, racing as a grinder on-board winning 34th America’s Cup team, ORACLE TEAM USA. His relationship with Ben dates back to 2007, when they joined forces on-board Team New Zealand to win the Louis Vuitton Cup in Spain. Jono takes on the position of Sailing Team Manager.

Career Highlights:
2015/16: Winner Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series (Team Manager) 
2013: Defender and Winner – 34th America’s Cup, with ORACLE TEAM USA 
2010: Winner – 33rd America’s Cup, with BMW ORACLE Racing
2007: Challenger and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, with Team New Zealand
2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup, with Team New Zealand
2003: Defender and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, with Team New Zealand

Will graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is responsible for simulation, analysis and development of the boat's control systems. He kitesurfs, plays rugby and enjoys all sports.

Born in Plymouth Will has been involved in engineering for racing yachts for twenty five years having graduated Heriot Watt University and Southampton University. Will has a lot of America's Cup experience with the 36th America's Cup being his seventh campaign having previously held a variety of engineering roles working on 30th & 31st America's Cup with Prada America's Cup Challenge, 32nd America's Cup with Mascalzone Latino Challenge, 33rd America's Cup with Alinghi, 34th America's Cup with Luna Rossa Challenge, 35th America's Cup with the team. Will also worked on the Volvo Ocean Race with ABN Amro One and Team Russia. 

Away from work Will enjoys sailing his Cornish Shrimper with his wife and two children, walking and running around Dartmoor and wild swimming. 

From the Wirral, Andy graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Computer Science. Andy is part of the Performance Team, his main responsibilities are performance analysis and developing analysis tools that are used by the rest of the Design Team. He has many years of experience as a software engineer in the marine electronics industry. As a member of West Kirby Sailing Club, Andy has done a lot of sailing with a particular focus on Team and Match Racing.

He enjoys cycling, sailing and playing music in his spare time.

Damien has graduated twice, with a Masters in Mathematics from Universite de Montreal in Canada and a Masters in Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique in France. He has spent all his career in Finance working as Portfolio Manager in various hedge funds in London and New York. The 35th America's Cup was Damien’s first Cup campaign, helping the design department to apply machine learning solutions to various design and data problems. In his spare time, Damien enjoys kitesurfing and walking his two dogs.

Philibert is a member of the Design Team specialising in 2D drafting and 3D modelling. Originally from La Rochelle, France, Philibert then moved to Lorient where he worked for VPLP, the famous multihull and superyacht designers. The work included many projects from the America’s Cup Race Management AC72, maxi trimarans Prince de Bretagne and Sodebo, as well as Hydro C-Class catamaran and the 100 foot Comanche. Philibertalso has previous America’s Cup experience as a boat builder for Alinghi’s successful 2007 campaign. Away from sailing Philibert has two children who are twins. 

Born in Milton Keynes, Tom graduated from the University of Portsmouth with degrees in Computer Engineering and Electronic Engineering. Tomhas experience in developing marine electronics and wearables from his work at Garmin. He also worked on developing the B&G WTP3/H5000 electronics and navigation software used in the 2015/16 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

He enjoys climbing, cycling, sailing and skiing in his spare time.

Mark's first America's Cup was with the British team in Perth in 1987, where he was a navigator. He subsequently sailed with and worked for the Nippon Challenge, One World Challenge, Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand. He has also won an Admiral's Cup and two other offshore world championships. He has written four novels and many other technical and non-fiction books and articles, and provided commentary on all the major sailing events including the America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, Vendee Globe and the Olympics.

Simon was born in Cape Town, South Africa where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He has spent the last fifteen years designing rigs for various mast manufacturers around the world, working on projects as small as Mini Transits to 101m freestanding rigs. Simon participated in the 32^nd Americas Cup with team Shosholoza running the rig department and last time round, designed our foil cases.  When he is not sitting at his desk, he can be found windsurfing, sailing, cycling, snowboarding and occasionally playing golf.  

Antoine graduated from ENSTA Bretagne University in France with a master in Marine Engineering. He then worked in Michel Desjoyeaux’s design office, designing and building prototypic wingsails for C-Class catamarans. In 2013, he joined Benjamin Muyl Design to develop Meta, a boat behavior prediction framework. In addition to this, Antoine has an extensive sailing background, claiming three podium finishes in the National Championships in 420, he was ISAF Youth World Champion in 2005 with the French Team and placed 3^rd in the 2012 Tour de France a la Voile. He joined the Performance team in 2016.

Born in Empangeni in South Africa, David is a mechanical engineer specialising in the design and analysis of composite structures. David qualified as a mechanical engineer in 1994, completed a Masters degree in 1997 and a PhD in 2002 at the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. David has spent most of his career in the academic sector with a primary focus on research. He has also consulted as a practicing engineer to companies and institutions in the defence and industrial sectors. David was part of the South African Shosholoza design team that campaigned for the 32^nd America’s Cup in 2007. He enjoys sailing and mountain biking in his spare time.

Born in Hannover in Germany, Johannes switched tracks from a career in Superyacht construction to Naval Architecture and Maritime Technology, in which he graduated with an MEng from the University of Applied Science at Kiel. During his time in Kiel Johannes tested America’s Cup wingsails for the America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) design package for the 34th America's Cup. Johannes joined Ker Design in 2012, initially working on sail-morphing technology for aero simulation, and he has increasingly become involved in advanced Velocity Prediction and dynamic modelling techniques.

For AC35 Johannes was part of the performance prediction team and further developed the static and dynamic modelling tool set.

Mark was introduced to sailing at the age of four, and has subsequently sailed most types of boat. He studied Ship Science at the University of Southampton, and since then has gained a lot of experience in the marine industry in the design and engineering fields. The 36th America’s Cup with INEOS Team GB is his fourth Cup campaign, the first being with Mascalzone Latino during in the 32nd Cup, and then BMW Oracle Racing in the 33rd America’s Cup and Land Rover BAR in the 35th America's Cup. Mark also has a lot of Volvo Ocean Race experience working with Amer Sports One, Assa Abloy, Ericsson Racing 3 and 4 and as a consultant for Green Marine on the one-design boats being used in the 2014-15 edition of the race. He lives in Lymington with his wife and 2 children, and spends his spare time playing with foiling wind and kite surfers, cycling or running. 

Benjamin Muyl began designing right after completing the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers in 1998. He joined the hugely successful VPLP Yacht Design, specialists in offshore racing multihulls, and worked on many of their cutting-edge projects. He moved into the America’s Cup arena in 2005 when he joined the French Areva Challenge, remaining there until he left to start Benjamin Muyl Design (BMD) in August 2007.

Since then, Benjamin has subsequently worked on BMW Oracle Racing’s winning trimaran for the 33rd America’s Cup, and then with the narrowly-defeated Emirates Team New Zealand AC72 in the 34th Cup. He was one of the naval architects for the Groupama International C Class Catamaran team, and remains involved with the Open 60 class of solo long-distance racing boats. In fact, he worked on Macif, winner of the 2012-13 Vendee Globe. He is also an enthusiastic participant in the International C Class Catamaran with his team ‘Challenge France – Flying Frogs’ – and has a sense of humour. For the 35th America's Cup Benjamin was Chief Designer for the team.

After college Ollie started working as a marine engineer, prior to studying Yacht and Powercraft design at Southampton Institute. Since leaving university in 2005 he has worked in both yacht design and product design. Ollie joined the team for the last cup - specialising in 3D design and modelling. When he’s not running around after his three children he enjoys faffing around in the gym, cycling, running and swimming.

James Roche was born in Manitoba, Canada, but started his education at Sevenoaks School, Kent. He went on to obtain a BEng (Ship Science) and EngD (Aerodynamics and Race Simulation) at the University of Southampton. Prior to joining the team he was employed by McLaren Applied Technologies and was a member of Team GB’s support staff for two consecutive Olympic Winter Games, in 2010 and 2014.

He used the skills developed to co-design the Olympic gold medal winning skeleton sled for Amy Williams’ victory in 2010 and then Lizzy Yarnold’s in 2014. The BlackRoc sleds were named by combining his surname with that of his design partner Rachel Blackburn.

James was once also a keen sailor, his achievements range from dinghy sailing & match racing in the British Youth team, to racing yachts in the Commodores’ Cup, Fastnet, and Round Britain and Ireland races. He also has experience sailing foiling boats, having raced in the International Moth. James’ role at INEOS TEAM UK will focus on supporting the development of simulation and data analysis tools.

Max works on simulation methods for fluid analysis - predominantly Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) - within the team.  Having originally graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, he followed that up with a CFD specific PhD. Then, while working with a CFD software company, he supported a range of clients in varied industries including Formula 1 and large ship builders.  An amateur dinghy sailor himself, he got to combine two of his great interests during the 35th America's Cup.

Jessica grew up sailing dinghies in the strong Fremantle ‘Doctor’ sea breezes in Western Australia. She progressed into offshore yacht racing and through this passion Jess realised the importance of the weather. She studied mathematics and physics at undergraduate level, following this with a Masters in Meteorology at the University of Reading (UK). Jess joined the team in 2015 as meteorologist having worked as the onshore navigation support with CAMPER Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race, and Emirates Team New Zealand in the 34^th America’s Cup. In her own racing career as a navigator, Jess has completed 5 Sydney-Hobarts, 3 Newport-Bermudas, achieved a world record for the Round Britain and Ireland Race and won the Pacific Cup.

Ben Vernieres was born in Vannes, France, and graduated from the Université de Nantes in 2000 in Material Science and Engineering. He came to England soon afterwards, and did a BEng in Yacht and Powercraft Design, followed by an MSc in Ship Science and Computational Fluid Dynamics at Southampton University. He subsequently joined up with British yacht designer, Jason Ker, working in several areas of design on his successful stable of racing boats.

Ben is also a talented small boat sailor in his own right, winning the famous Prince of Wales Cup in the International 14 dinghy class in 2004. He has also placed on or very close to the podium at European and World Championships in the same boat. Ben joined the team for the 35th America's Cup campaign and will continue for the 36th Cup although he will be confined to a computer at INEOS TEAM UK, working on 3D modelling and drafting.

Alan studied Marine Technology and Small Craft Technology at the University of Newcastle before completing his Master’s degree in Marine Technology and became a Chartered Naval Architect in 2011.

Alan has been a boat builder with Marten Yachts NZ, worked as a production designer on the Hugo Boss and Artemis Open 60 builds, a design engineer at Green Marine, a naval architect for Farr Yacht Design, and the design and build coordinator for the Bavaria 45 Prototype, before setting up his own design and build consultancy business.

Alan joined the team for the 35th America's Cup and has worked on three Volvo Ocean Race builds, including Ericsson in 2005, Team Russia in 2008 and Telefonica in 2011. These days Alan now cycles most weekends and competes in Triathlons during the summer.

PROFILE

New Zealander and British citizen, Andrew ‘Animal’ McLean is an experienced inshore and offshore racer. He has campaigned four times for the America’s Cup, twice for his home country New Zealand, and competed in two editions of the global Volvo Ocean Race (VOR).

Most recently he competed in the 2012/13 America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) and the 30th Louis Vuitton Cup with Artemis Racing, on-board as a grinder and part of the performance and instruments shore team.

He also competed in the last edition of the VOR as Pitman/Trimmer on-board Team Camper, enjoying a second place finish, after making his VOR debut in 2008/09 on-board Green Dragon.

A qualified mechanical engineer, Andy was also part of the winning 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup team with fellow New Zealander and teammates, Jono Macbeth and Ben Ainslie. Andy also plays a vital role in INEOS Team GB as Team Leader of Systems Engineering.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2017: Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Series Semi Finalist
• 2015/2016: Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Champion
• 2013: 4th – 30th Anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Cup with Artemis Racing, AC72
• 2013: Broke the Round the Island Race multihull record with J.P. Morgan BAR in the AC45
• 2011/ 2012 Volvo Ocean Race with Team Camper, Pitman/Navigator – 2nd
• 2008/ 2009 Volvo Ocean Race with Green Dragon, Pitman/Navigator – 5th
• 2007: Challenger and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand
• 2007: Winner – Louis Vuitton Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand
• 2003: Defender and runner up – 32nd America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand

Michel Marie was born in France and is married to a New Zealander. He graduated from the University of Caen in Physics and Measurements and studied Construction Technologies at the University of Nantes. He twice raced the Mini-Transat on boats he designed and built himself. He subsequently competed in the Whitbread Round the World Race as a bowman aboard Rucanor Sport before moving into boat-building, initially with Marten Marine in New Zealand. His first involvement with the America’s Cup was with the construction and shore team of Le Défi Français in 1992. He has since competed in five Cups, most recently holding senior management positions with Alinghi (2000 – 2007) and BMW Oracle Racing (2007 – 2010) for three America’s Cup victories. He has also worked on the construction and project management for yachts as diverse as Mari Cha III (carbon fibre cruiser), RAN 5 (72’ Mini Maxi), Merit Cup (Whitbread 60) and Merit / La Poste (Maxi IOR Whitbread)

Originally from Portsmouth UK, Ian now lives mostly in Portugal.  
Having worked as a Sailmaker and Loft Manager for Lucas, Diamond and North Sails he made the move to the America's Cup in 2000 working as Sail Loft Manager for Swiss team Alinghi. In 2010 he joined Italy's Luna Rossa challenge and then moved to the team in 2015 as Sailmaker and Loft Manager. 

Holly was born and grew up in Portsmouth. Holly is the team's front of house receptionist and office manager, meeting and greeting visitors with a friendly smile and assisting with general enquiries from the team and members of the public. Before joining the team, Holly spent two years in recruitment, specialising in the commercial and legal sector. In her spare time, Holly enjoys attending music festivals around the UK with her friends and family.

Born in Argentina, Luciana has been involved in five consecutive America’s Cup campaigns since the 32^nd Cup working on a variety of roles from logistics to marketing to administration. Primarily she has been PA to various Management Groups. Luciana joins the team as PA to Ben Ainslie and Grant Simmer. Luciana is currently living in Auckland, New Zealand where the 36^th America’s Cup will take place.

A resident of Cowes, Joanna has been involved in Human Resources sector for the last 20 years.  Her early career was spent in London working within the investment banking arena before moving into public sector recruitment.  For the last 10 years she has worked within the marine industry for a number of different companies setting up their HR functions. Joanna was also part of the team for the 35th America's Cup campaign.

Dan was born in Southampton and studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton. Dan is now Finance Manager for the team responsible for managing the day-to-day financial operations of the business. He has 10 years audit and accounting experience in a Practice environment dealing with a large variety of different businesses. Dan spends his spare time trying to keep up with his two young children. 

Peter began sailing in Hong Kong during the 70’s before returning to University in the UK. A career in the marine trade in parallel to Admirals Cup, One Ton and Farr 40 successes eventually led to a sabbatical with Stewart Grand Prix before returning to the South Coast in the 90’s to establish an IT company specialising in the support of marine trade companies and sailing projects from Olympic to Volvo and the America’s Cup. Peter worked for the team during the 35th America's Cup.

Currently living on the Isle of Wight, Liam joins the team as an IT Engineer. Liam previously worked for OC Sport on the Extreme Sailing Series and DongFeng Race Team, implementing and maintaining network infrastructure at remote event sites. Liam worked for the team in the 35th America's Cup. In his spare time, Liam enjoys running and cycling.

AAT qualified, Mel joins the Accounts team having previously worked for IBM for 13 years doing internal audits, immigration compliance and accounts. Mel is currently studying for a Bcs Honors in Criminology and Psychological Studies with the Open University - she has so far completed three out of six years. In her spare time, Mel enjoys coaching her sons junior Rugby team, baking and going out with friends.

Sarah Alexander is the Communications Manager for INEOS Team GB and manages the team’s PR and media requests. She began her career in public relations in the fast-paced London fashion industry, working with a number of luxury and independent brands assisting with brand direction, marketing and promotional campaigns. She moved back to the south coast in 2010 joining Sailing Marketing, PR and Event agency 'Into the Blue' working with agency client, Volvo Car UK, across a sponsorship portfolio that profiled a ‘grassroots to glory’ philosophy, ranging from youth development to Britain’s top sailors at the pinnacle of the sport.

Tim Carter is originally from Ipswich, Suffolk, but he studied at the University of Portsmouth. He has a sailing background representing Great Britain in various classed as a member of the British Sailing Team. In his spare time Tim still sails a lot and participates a variety of other sports. He is the only person to grind continuously for 24 hours, in aid of Sports Relief. 

Harrys career was born in the extreme sports industry before moving into the marine sector. He started in photography, before expanding his multi-media skill set to include video production, graphic design, animation, illustration and photo manipulation.

Sophie joined the team as a Marketing & Events Apprentice in June 2015. From the Isle of Wight, Sophie attended Ryde School where she achieved high grades and became Deputy Head Girl. She was a member at Gurnard Sailing Club from a young age and is very musical - she plays the clarinet, saxophone and flute, achieving grade 8 in the latter two instruments. Sophie's enjoys keeping fit and has recently ran the 2017 London Marathon raising money for the team's official charity, 1851 Trust. Her next challenge is now embarking on an Open University degree in Sports and Business Management. 

Originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, Sacha has been involved in sports marketing and communication since graduating from the University of Southampton with a degree in Psychology. Sacha began her career with the RYA as Communications Officer during the 2004 Olympics. During 2005/6 she worked as the Travelling Press Officer for the Volvo Ocean Race and has since worked on campaigns for Vodafone and the England Cricket Team, McLaren Mercedes, UEFA Champions League, adidas’ ‘Take the Stage’ London 2012 campaign and BT Sport, before joining the team in December 2014.

In her spare time, Sacha sails on her doorstep on the River Hamble in the Foxer class and enjoys weekends cruising the Solent on a Sadler 32.

Amy Munro is an Oceanography graduate from the University of Southampton and grew up in a sailing family, racing on the Solent and the East coast of England. She has experience from a range of campaigns that include running a World Record-Breaking Transatlantic Solo Row through to Offshore Research Assisitant for EcoOcean and Environmental Ocean Team. She has also been involved in workshops to promote public awareness of environmental issues and ocean conservation and been lucky enough to be part of dive teams researching health of coral reefs in Fiji. Amy's role is the Sustainability Manager for the team; this role involves working with the team to embed sustainability through three target areas: Driving Innovation, Inspiring Excellence and Smarter Futures. 

Born in Reading, Kate now resides in Southampton. Kate studied at the University of Portsmouth in Physical Geography, graduating in 2013. After graduating university Kate worked in Sales before joining the team as Office Manager. Kate has recently been promoted to Events Manager dealing with all events on the Flight Deck and hospitality at events. Kate learnt to sail in Picos and Lasers during school holidays.

Dan joined the team as Communications Manager for the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda. Dan has been involved in sports marketing and communications for over ten years. Previously he headed up the communications strategy for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event Portsmouth 2015/16. In his spare time, Dan is a keen boxer and long suffering supporter of Arsenal FC.

Originally from Wrexham, Wales, Steve is a boatbuilder who is overseeing composite construction for INEOS TEAM UK. Steve’s sailing experience began after his grandfather, Harry Hains founded Bala Sailing Club and taught Steve in Solos, Lasers and Fireballs. Having been a boatbuilder at Green Marine, Steve has worked on projects such as Stealth, Playstation, Leopard, Hugo Boss Open 60 and Artemis Open 60. Along with this, Steve was Team Leader on Prada during the 2000 and 2003 America’s Cups, and has four Volvo Ocean Races under his belt – Intrum Justitia, Assa Abloy, Ericsson and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Steve began working for the team in the 35th America's Cup. In Steve’s spare time he is a guitar technician for Western Sand.

Originally from Cyprus, Kevin has 18 years’ experience in a wide variety of industries including aerospace, motorsports, medical, hydraulics and oil explorations. More recently, he has been involved in the repair and overhaul centre for Augusta Westlands helicopters in Yeovil working alongside a survey team servicing and machining gearboxes and rotor blade sleeves for the UK Armed Forces helicopter fleet.

In Kevin’s spare time, he enjoys walking his dog Murray and cycling.