Iain Murray, regatta director of the America's Cup race, said that Ben Ainslie will be a formidable opponent for New Zealand when they meet in the America's Cup.

Ainslie spent a day away from the water to support the British team in the inaugural women's America's Cup. Meanwhile, the New Zealand crew that he won the right to compete against were busy practising and making the most of their time on the racecourse.

Murray, 66 said: "I am quite certain that the Kiwis will be fast but Ben is fast too. He is such a match-racer and has a lot of experience in matches that the Kiwis do not."

Murray told the New Zealand team skippered by Pete Burling, "You'll be able to see them practicing as much as possible."

Ainslie's crew won the Louis Vuitton Cup in a close-fought contest, earning the right to challenge the America's Cup in Britain for the first 60 years.

Ainslie spent the past decade trying to rectify the fact that Britain has never won the "Auld Mug", a race which was first held off the South Coast of England in 1851.

The 11 races Britain won against Italy could be a springboard for them, especially with the improvement made to the AC75 foiling boat and the crew's experience.

Murray commented on the America's Cup, which begins on October 12. The first-to-7-winners will be determined by the odds.

Murray, who had described Ainslie's sailing style as "unpredictable", ruthless and "hard to manage", said that Ainslie was a completely different person when he was on the water.

Murray said that the Kiwis will have to manage and handle this. He has been involved with eight America's Cup races, four as a race manager and four as a competitor.

Murray stated that the performance so far showed the high-speed boat were "awesome", adding "It's fistfighting of the first order". (Reporting and editing by Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)