As a Boston Red Sox fan who grew up in the 1970's and 80's, I'm intimately familiar with the unique suffering that extremely long losing streaks can produce. And even though all of my (and the Red Sox's and the city of Boston's in fact) demons were exercised when the 2004 Red Sox came back from the brink of elimination to defeat the Evil Empire -- New York Yankees -- and then sweep the world series that magical autumn. I'm still hypersensitive to the suffering long-term losing can produce.

So, I must admit to feeling lots of compassion towards INEOS Britannia, the British America's cup team simply because the Brits America's Cup losing streak dates back to when the New York Yacht Club's America and beat all 15 yachts representing the Royal Yacht Squadron in a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851! In fact, the Brits have NEVER won the America's Cup and they haven't even competed in the actual cup match since 1958!

But, but Ben Ainslie and his crew are now one step closer to ending 173 years of hurt now that INEOS Britannia just beat the talented (and stylish) Italian team -- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli -- for the right to challenge Emirates Team New Zealand for the Cup.

The hard-fought Louis Vuitton Cup series ended with a perfect race by the Brits who took control at the race from the start. Rounded the first gate with a 10 second lead. And closed it out with a solid final lap, eventually wining with a 17-second margin.

"This is a massive day for our team," Ainslie said. "I want to say how proud I am of not just those on the water, but also all those back on shore in Barcelona and also back in the UK in Brackley helping us on the technical side. I'm so pleased for everyone, for all of our fans and supporters - it's a massive moment. We started this team 10 years ago when Britain wasn't in the America's Cup, and it took a lot of people to come in and support us. We have the amazing support of Jim Ratcliffe and his team at INEOS, and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has supported us as a team and British sailing in general, this moments for you."

Meanwhile Jimmy Spithill, starboard helm on Luna Rossa was magnanimous in defeat saying: "I just want to say well done to INEOS Britannia, to Ben [Ainslie] and his team, just an awesome effort. They started that team I think a decade ago, and to bounce back and win having got so close last time when we knocked them out, and then today they were the better team. I thought we had a great boat and it's difficult to really put into words, but all I can do is just thank all of my teammates and clearly congratulate the team for doing such an awesome job."

Meanwhile Luna Rosa co-helmsman Francesco Bruni could do nothing but praise his rival as well, "Congratulations, Ben, you deserved it."

Addressing his team and Italian supporters, he added "This is a very, very tough moment for me personally and for all of us. We've done an extraordinary job as a team, and I want to thank each of you individually for what you've done. Unfortunately, we didn't achieve the result we hoped for. Thank you, everyone, for your support. You made us dream. We had everything we needed to be in the match race for the Cup, but we didn't perform well in the finals. Ineos deserved to win. It didn't go our way, but Luna Rossa will come back even stronger."

"We are all incredibly proud of the team for winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and getting through to the America's Cup match for the first time in 60 years," said Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS. "The Italians have been outstanding opponents throughout and have pushed us all the way, delighting fans with unquestionably some of the best racing the America's Cup has ever seen. But now, as a team we need to focus on the challenge ahead as we prepare to take on Emirates Team New Zealand in the America's Cup match. While we have made significant improvements over the course of racing, we know now is not a time to rest. As we have done over the past few months, we will continue in our relentless pursuit of performance to allow us to be in the best possible position ahead of the start of the Cup match."

The Britts have cleared this major hurdle just to get to the cup match. But their biggest test begins on October 12 against the defending Kiwi team that looks hard to beat. Watch this space.