HAMPSHIRE sailing star Sir Ben Ainslie has unveiled the cutting-edge race boat with which he hopes to led his team to glory in the America’s Cup.

Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR team launched the 50ft catamaran, codenamed R1, at their new base in Bermuda where the America’s Cup will be held later this year.

The boat, which flies above the water on hydrofoils at speeds of up to 60mph, is the product of four years of design and testing.

It boasts 1,200m of electronic and electrical cabling connecting 190 sensors and four video cameras.

‘Rita’ Ainslie, who’s team’s main base is in Portsmouth, has called the boat ‘Rita’, the same name given to all 19 of his previous Olympic and world championship-winning boats.

He was joined by his sports presenter wife Georgie and their daughter Bellatrix as the boat was unveiled.

“It’s a great moment to see our AC50 race boat hit the water in Bermuda,” Ainslie said.

“The launch represents the sum of all the team’s efforts to bring the America’s Cup home, and we’re delighted to get her in the water.

“There are just a few short months before the racing starts at the end of May, and we will be working very hard now on the final development and testing of this boat to make sure we are ready for the racing.”