Winning an Olympic gold medal in the men's single-handed dinghy event was the ultimate aim for Ben AINSLIE in 2004 and that is exactly what he did. Ben's nomination period began with victory in at the 2003 ISAF World Championship in the Finn. He then successfully defended his Finn World Championship title at the 2004 Finn Gold Cup, before claiming the ultimate prize of an Olympic gold medal. With this achievement, Ben equals Rodney PATTISON's British record of three Olympic sailing medals.

Ben has not finished outside the top two at any of the ISAF Graded Events he has entered and has spent much of the nomination period at the top of the ISAF World Sailing Rankings.

ISAF World Sailing Ranking at the end of the nomination period (3 August 2004) - 4

Current ISAF World Sailing Ranking (2 September 2004) - 4
1st - Olympic Sailing Competition, Grade W - August 2004
2nd - SPA Regatta, Grade 1 - May 2004
2nd - Finn European Championship, Grade 1 - May 2004
1st - XXXV Princess Sofia Trophy, Grade 2 - April 2004
1st - Finn Gold Cup, Grade W - February 2004
1st - ISAF World Championship, Grade W - September 2003

Name	Ben AINSLIE
Date of Birth	28161
Place of Birth	Macclesfield
Profession	Sailor
ISAF Sailor ID	GBRCA1
Age started sailing	9
First boat sailed	Optimist
Age started racing	10
What inspired you to take up sailing?	My father
How did you buy your first boat?	Gift
Which was your first sailing club?	Restronguet SC
First Event competed in and Year	Optimist Nationals, 1988
First Event won and Year	Optimist Junior Nationals, 1988
Principle achievements	2 gold medals and one silver medal at three Olympics
Principle achievements	3 x Finn World Championships
Principle achievements	2 x Laser World Championships
Principle achievements	4 x Laser European Championships
Principle achievements	2 x Finn European Championships
Principle achievements	1995 ISAF Youth Sailing World Champion - Laser
Detail the personal highlights of your sailing career to date	Gold in Athens - Finn
What are your future sailing aspirations?	To win the America's Cup
Briefly state what sailing means to you	It is my life, it's what I love doing so I'm very happy.
Who has had the greatest impact or inspiration in your sailing career and why?	My father, Rossy
Who do you consider to be your sailing hero?	Russell COUTTS
What other sports do you participate in outside of sailing?	Gof and skiiing
Who do you consider to be the greatest sailor in the World and why?	Russell COUTTS because he always performs when it matters.
Briefly state what being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award 2004 means to you	It's a great recognition of this year's success and it's an honour to be nominated along with so many successful sailors.
If voted as the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2004, briefly say what will this mean to you?	It would be a huge honour.