Britain's America's Cup, the first ever America's Cup Class boat to be built in Britain, was launched in Auckland earlier today following delays in stepping her mast and preparing her for racing.

GBR 70, built at the GBR Challenge base in Arctic Road in Cowes, will be known as Wight Lightning and is the first of two new generation AC class boats to come out of the British yard.

She will be launched in the Viaduct Basin after a short ceremony at the GBR Challenge base on syndicate row and will be towed out into Auckland harbour by the GBR Challenge team for the first of her sea trials, now that a series of load testing has been completed on shore.

Ian Walker, GBR Challenge skipper, commented: "This is yet another important step for Peter Harrison and GBR Challenge. 'Wight Lightning' is a credit to our design and build teams.

"Myself and the team are very excited about getting her on the water and are looking forward to the first sail next week."

Wight Lightning was developed by the GBR Challenge design team and it took the 30 strong build team 24,000 man hours over five months to build her. She is the first British boat to enter the America's Cup, which starts with the Louis Vuitton Challenger series in October, for 16 years.

The name 'Wight Lightning' was chosen from 19,840 entries into a competition held on the flagship BBC Children's programme, Blue Peter, and HRH The Princess Royal named the boat at a ceremony in Cowes on April 12.