• Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team reveal parting of ways
• Ainslie says he will consider his legal options

Sir Ben Ainslie has said he is “astounded” after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Britannia team announced a parting of ways with the four-time Olympic champion for this year’s America’s Cup. He also threatened to launch a “significant” legal fight in response.

Ainslie’s crew overcame Italy in the Louis Vuitton Cup series to qualify for the showpiece event for the first time since 1964 last year. However, Emirates Team New Zealand went on to claim the Auld Mug in a 7-2 win in Barcelona last October.