THE British America's Cup team led by Hampshire star Ben Ainslie has sacked its longstanding director Mike Sanderson.

The experienced Kiwi sailor, who has broken lots of sailing records and won the 2004/5 Volvo Ocean Race, was in Sardinia with the team ahead of the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta this weekend when he was told.

His sacking follows disappointing results for the team in the recent Audi Med Cup series as well as the Louis Vuitton regatta in Auckland in March.

A statement released by the team tonight said the decision had been made by team boss Keith Mills as part of a restructuring excercise.

It read: "This decision has been taken to ensure that the team functions as effectively and efficiently as possible, in order to improve the team’s performance and ultimately win the America’s Cup.

"Mike has been with the team since it was formed in 2007. He has made a huge contribution to establishing what has been a relatively new team and has worked hard to keep the team together over the last three years while the America’s Cup was in the courts. Sir Keith and the team wish Mike every success in the future."