BRITAIN secured a place in the America’s Cup for the first time in 60 years as four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie skippered Britannia to victory over Italy.

The Brits finished off Italy yesterday with a regatta win to clinch the challengers’ final series 7-4. That earned them a date against defending champion New Zealand.

Britannia had built on a fast start to open up a 150-metre lead over Italy after the first leg of eight.