AINSLIE EYES SAIL OF THE CENTURY

Ben says taking on Team New Zealand in America's Cup is like facing All Blacks.

- NEIL SQUIRES

BEN AINSLIE likens a head-to-head with Emirates Team New Zealand for the America's Cup to a World Cup final against the All Blacks.

The Kiwis, unbeaten since 2013 in sailing's most glamorous event, are the masters of the seas and hold all the cards as the defenders. Only seven times in the event's 173-year history have the challengers prevailed.

But having steered a British boat through the choppy waters of qualification to earn this shot, Ainslie thinks he can pull off mission impossible in Barcelona and complete the greatest triumph of even his decorated sailing career.

"It's like taking on the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final when they've decided the size of the pitch and the air pressure in the ball," said Ainslie.