Ben Ainslie is Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor. He won a silver medal in the Laser class at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and went one better to win gold in Sydney four years later. In 2004, Ben moved into the larger Finn class securing a gold medal at the 2004 Games in Athens and achieved his goal of a third Olympic gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Ben has won nine World Championships in his sailing career to date, been crowned ISAF World Sailor of the year in 1998 and 2002, and four times won British Yachtsman of the Year. Outside of his Olympic achievements Ben was ‘B boat’ helmsman for the Emirates Team New Zealand Americas Cup team and has been appointed skipper of the Great Britain Americas Cup team for the 33rd edition of the cup.
| Date of birth | 5th February 1977 |
| Born | Macclesfield (grew up Restronguet, Cornwall) |
| Height | 6ft |
| Currently living | Lymington, Hampshire |
| Schools | Peter Symonds College, Winchester, Hampshire, Truro School, Truro, Cornwall |
| Started sailing | Aged 8 in Restronguet Creek, Cornwall |
| Current Olympic Class | Finn class |
| Duration in current class | Since 2001 |
| Greatest strengths in sailing | My greatest strength is that I never give up |
| Biggest goal | Was to win another Olympic Gold, which I have done, so now it is to win the Americas Cup |
| Other interests | Football, cricket and golf |
| Most humorous moment in sailing | Destroying a boat whilst sailing with Iain Percy and then having to be rescued by the RNLI |
| Any major injuries | A snapped ankle ligament kept me out of training for 5 weeks |
| Biggest influence in your life | My parents, Roddy and Susan, who have given me endless time and support over the years |
Find out more about Ben
Keep up to date with Ben’s plans following success at the Olympics on his personal website.