The British yacht club that Sir Ben Ainslie has teamed up with in an attempt to bring the America’s Cup back to Britain is led by a man whose family has close ties with Bermuda.

Christopher Sharples, the son of Sir Richard Sharples, is the serving commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, regarded as the most prestigious yacht club in the United Kingdom.

Ainslie officially launched his challenge for the 35th America’s Cup last year at a gathering at the Royal Museums Greenwich, in southeast London, which was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge, herself a keen sailor.

“I am delighted to be so involved in the America’s Cup, especially now that the key events are taking place in Bermuda,” Mr Sharples told The Royal Gazette.

Some of Mr Sharples’s relatives have resided in Bermuda since Governor Sharples was murdered on the grounds of Government House in 1973, along with his aide-de-camp, Capt Hugh Sayers. Also killed was Horsa, the family’s Great Dane.

Two men, Larry Tacklyn and Erskine “Buck” Burrows, were convicted of the murders and hanged. The hangings, which were the last under British rule anywhere in the world, sparked three days of riots that caused an estimated $2 million in damages.

Order was eventually restored after the First Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was flown in as reinforcements for the Bermuda Regiment. Sir Richard’s remains are buried in the graveyard at St Peter’s Church in St George’s, along with those of Capt Sayers and Horsa.

The Royal Yacht Squadron, which celebrates its bicentennial this year, played an integral role in the evolution of the America’s Cup.

It was the host club of the inaugural race held in 1851 around the Isle of Wight when the New York Yacht Club schooner America won the trophy then referred to as the 100 Pound Cup.

Britain has never won the trophy.

“This is the last great historic sporting prize never won by Great Britain,” said Sir Ben, the principal and skipper of Ben Ainslie Racing, who won the coveted “Auld Mug” at the previous America’s Cup with defender Oracle Team USA.

“It has always been my ambition to mount a home challenge and I would not be challenging if I did not believe we have a real chance of winning this time.”