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Unbeaten in the Finn since 2004 and twice a previous winner of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, Ben AINSLIE is a sailor who knows how to pick his moments. Returning to the Olympic circuit following the conclusion of the 32nd America’s Cup, AINSLIE kept his hand in on the match racing circuit but sent a clear signal to the Finn fleet in December 2007 that he was back on the scene and hungry for a third Olympic gold medal.
His first Grade 1 victory of this nomination period came at the Sydney International Regatta in December 2007 and he marched on to pick up another gold medal at Sail Melbourne before taking on his fifth Finn Gold Cup in January 2008. After a solid series Ainslie consolidated his record number of Finn Gold Cup wins by bringing his tally to five. The next two events also saw AINSLIE on the top of the podium and before setting off to China for the Olympic Games he claimed his fourth European title in a nail biting final race in Scarlino, Italy.
On to China and AINSLIE rarely looked troubled out on the complex waters of Qingdao. With just one real challenge left by the Medal Race it was business as usual for this unstoppable Brit. The gold medal was his and he made another strike in the record books, joining the ranks of the world’s most successful Olympic sailors with three gold and one silver medal. AINSLIE ends the nomination period with the European, World and Olympic titles to his name.
1 - RYA National Match Racing Qualifier, Weymouth, GBR - ISAF Grade 4 - Sep 2007
1 - Cento Cup, Trapani, ITA - ISAF Grade 1 - Oct 2007 (match racing)
1 - Go for Gold Regatta, Melbourne, AUS - ISAF Grade 3 - Dec 2007
1 - Sydney International Regatta, Sydney, AUS - ISAF Grade 1 - Dec 2007
1 - Sail Melbourne International Regatta, Melbourne, AUS - ISAF Grade 1 - Jan 2008
1 - Finn Gold Cup - ISAF Grade W - Jan 2008
1 - HRH Princess Sofia Trophy MAPFRE, Palma, ESP - ISAF Grade 2 - Mar 2008
1 - Finn European Championship, Scarlino, ITA - ISAF Grade C1 - May 2008
1 - 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade W - Aug 2008
ISAF World Sailing Rankings position at the end of the nomination period (3 September 2008) – # 13
| Name |
Ben AINSLIE |
| Place of birth |
UK |
| Date of birth |
5 February 1977 |
| Profession |
Pro Sailor |
| ISAF Sailor ID |
GBRCA1 |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
My Parents |
| What was the first boat you sailed and how old were you? |
A small cruising boat with my Parents and sister, I was aged three |
| Name your first sailing club |
Restronguet Sailing Club |
| What was the first event you competed in and in what year? |
Optimist National Championships 1988 |
| What are your personal highlights of your career to date? |
Sydney 2000 Olympics and Beijing 2008 Olympics |
| What are your future sailing goals? |
To try and win the America's Cup and also the Olympic Games on home waters in 2012 |
| Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why? |
My Father as he helped me so much in every area and has so much experience. |
| Who is your sailing hero? |
Russell COUTTS and Paul ELVSTRÖM |
| What other sports do you enjoy? |
Golf, Football, F1 |
| What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you? |
It's a real honour to be put forward for such a prestigous award after such a successful and enjoyable year of sailing. |
| If you were voted as the winner, what would this mean to you? |
It would really be fantastic. Not just for me but also for everyone who has supported me along the way. |
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