America's Cup World Series 2015: Schedule and Live Stream for Portsmouth Event

The eyes of the sailing world will be squarely fixed on Portsmouth this weekend, as the America's Cup World Series event heads to the south coast of England.

It’s a competition steeped in tradition and pageantry, with the first running of the event taking place in 1851. Great Britain have never fielded a winning team in the event known among the sport’s cognoscenti as the “Auld Mug,” but legendary sailor Sir Ben Ainslie will be hoping to put that right this time around, with his squad the main attraction at Southsea Common.

Here’s a closer look at what to look out for in Portsmouth during what will be a few thrilling days of racing on the water and all the key viewing details on where to catch the action.

Date	Event	Time
Thursday, July 23	Exhibition Sailing	12:45 p.m.
Friday, July 24	Practice Racing	12:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 25	Fleet Races	1:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26	Fleet Races	1:30 p.m.

For the full four-day timetable, click here.

Racing can be streamed on the BT Sport website (UK)

Ainslie Hoping to Shine on Home Waters

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Back in the 2013 America’s Cup, Ainslie was the catalyst for reigning champions Team Oracle USA’s comeback win against Emirates Team New Zealand. Two years ago, the American team were 8-1 in the final series of races, but drafted in midway through, Ainslie’s astute tactical ability propelled Oracle to a 9-8 victory.

But after the formation of Ben Ainslie Racing, the four-time Olympic champion will be looking to make history for a British team as the buildup continues to the 2017 America’s Cup proper.

This series on the south coast is an ideal opportunity for the participating teams to accrue some points prior to the qualifying beginning in a couple of years' time.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

It’s an event the 38-year-old seems to be looking forward to, as he posted the following on his Twitter feed:

And that excitement is understandable. Ainslie will be the big favourite to lead his team to victory on familiar waters, and after performing so admirably in 2013, BAR are one to keep an eye out for in the opening days of action.

Ben Margot/Associated Press

There will be some stiff competition, though. Oracle will also be in situ, and although the American squad do command a certain aura, without Ainslie it’ll be intriguing to see how they fare as the quest to defend their crown in 2017 begins.

“Ben is a really good guy. You meet him on the shore, and he’s very courteous, well-mannered,” said Orcacle skipper Jimmy Spithill, a man who worked Ainslie during that stunning win in 2013, per Colin Thompson of the Royal Gazette. “On the water, though, you flick a switch. He becomes very, very aggressive, and he gets the results.”

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

As Spithill revealed on his official Instagram account in the buildup to the Portsmouth showpiece, the American team have been taking no shortcuts in their preparations, either:

Naturally, Emirates Team New Zealand will be desperate to bounce back after losing out in such heartbreaking circumstances four years go. They'll be captained by Glenn Ashby and will be looking to capitalise on an Oracle team that's struggled for their best without Ainslie in situ.

There will also be teams from Sweden, Japan and France who are keen to lay down an early marker, meaning the action should be extremely competitive come the weekend. But expect BAR to taste victory as they begin what will be a longstanding affinity with this illustrious tournament.