Sailing-Britain buoyed by royal backing for 'once in a lifetime' America's Cup bid

BARCELONA : Britain has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the America's Cup for the first time in its 173-year history, skipper Ben Ainslie said on Monday, and the team are going to "give it everything" when they square up to New Zealand.

A message of encouragement from Britain's Princess of Wales, a long-term supporter, has given the team added motivation after winning the right to challenge the America's Cup holders, who Ainslie likened to the All Blacks of sailing.

"She's been with us all the way on that journey so we're really hugely grateful for her support and (from) everyone back home," Ainslie told Reuters on the dock outside his team's imposing base in the Mediterranean port of Barcelona.

"In life in general if you get an opportunity, in my experience, the trick is to take it on. Don't be scared, take it on and go for it and give it everything," Ainslie added.

"The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy... We've got a very proud sporting heritage in Britain and this is the one thing that's missing," the 47-year-old said.

"It really is a huge, huge challenge, particularly when you have, as we do in Emirates Team New Zealand, such a strong defending team," said Ainslie of beating the holders, adding: "It's a wonderful opportunity for our team to go all the way."

Because the holders can set key parameters of the design and rules when they defend the America's Cup, historically the odds have been stacked in their favour.

"It's a bit like taking on the All Blacks when they won the Rugby World Cup and then they decide for the next World Cup, well, you know, the pitch might be a little bit bigger and the pressure in the ball might be slightly higher," Ainslie said.

The last opportunity Britain had to