THE SKIPPER of Land Rover BAR’s Academy team is to join the senior set-up of the organisation as they prepare to try to win the 35th America’s Cup later this year.

Neil Hunter will be joining the senior Land Rover BAR team in Bermuda this month, after getting the call-up a few weeks ago.

The 21-year-old explained: “A week after the academy fitness test, Jono Macbeth – Land Rover BAR sailing team manager – asked me to come in and do another fitness test. I was then asked to join Ben Ainslie and the team for a few days of sailing in the Solent.

“A week after that, Jono called me and offered me a place in the America’s Cup sailing team, which obviously was massive and I’m still stoked about it now.”

Macbeth said: “There was a position available with the team and Neil is the perfect fit. He is hardworking, incredibly fit and willing to learn.”

After winning the World Series event, Ben Ainslie’s British team go into the finals of the America’s Cup this summer as one of the favourites to wrestle the cup away from current holders, United States.

Racing in Bermuda will begin on May 26.