Ben Ainslie, British Team Captain, said that his team is focused on improving themselves and the AC75 boat before they move into the next phase of America's Cup campaign.

The British crew, after what Ainslie described as "rustiness" in the race, clicked during the challenger rounds-robins that ended on Monday.

"We have found some really, truly big gains and some great momentum within the team, and we've witnessed that in the performances over the last few weeks," Ainslie said on a Tuesday video call with his team from its Mediterranean base.

The 47-year old said that they had "addressed some set-up issues around the boat", however, he was reticent to give details while they worked out how to clinch Louis Vuitton Cup - and the right to take on America's Cup defenders New Zealand.

He said: "I'm careful not to give too much away, but it is clear that our manoeuvres have improved and that the app we use for the start of the race and to navigate the course has become more refined."

Ainslie acknowledged the efforts of his coaches, the crew and shore team who "worked 24/7" to ensure Britannia was race-ready and reliable.

Ainslie also said that the team's Mercedes partners are crucial. Their Formula One designers are "trawling the data" and "trying to figure out what we can do better in terms of setting up the boat, or how we can better sail the boat".

Ainslie will be out on the water Thursday and Friday to "search for performance gains" before the start of Saturday's challenger semi-finals.

Ainslie stated that the British team would be selected on Friday based on factors like the weather forecast, past performances and the rate of development.

Ainslie admitted that while he had an idea of who he was going to face, it was still "too soon" to be sure.

It will be up to the team whether it is Italy or Switzerland, as Britain defeated them in a sailing-off for first place.

"We make important decisions together as a group." We try to involve the right people in making collective decisions. Ainslie jokingly said that if we cannot make a collective decision, I will have to take the final decision.

The most successful Olympic sailors is eager to win the "Auld Mug" for Britain, for the first since 1851.

It's an incredible privilege to be able to steer these boats and to be out on the water with the team. The America's Cup is a great challenge. "It's hard, but it is incredibly rewarding," Ainslie said. (Reporting and editing by Toby Davis; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)