Ben Ainslie

Ben Ainslie is Britain’s most successful ever Olympic sailor having won 4 Olympic Gold medals and 1 Olympic Silver medal. And he learned his trade in the superb day sailing waters around Falmouth when at the age of 8, he started sailing in Restronguet Creek. Ben grew grew up in Restronguet, a creekside village near Falmouth and attended Truro School, Cornwall.

He also became the only sailor ever to be crowned ISAF World Sailor of the Year three times (1999, 2002 & 2008) and British Yachtsman of the Year five times (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008). Ben is now skipper of the British America’s Cup challenge, Team Origin, having been announced as their skipper in September 2007.

After his success in the Sydney Olympics he was awarded the CBE in the 2005 New Year Honours List, with the CBE following in 2009 after his third Olympic gold in the 2008 Bejiing Games.

Ben Ainslie returned to Falmouth in 2012, taking part in the prestigious pre-Olympic Finn Class sailing event. The event in May 2012, included the Finn Gold Cup Race, a qualifying event for the Olympics and Ben won. London 2012 saw Ben retain his Olympic gold medal, making him one of the most decorated Olympians of all time! He was Knighted for his achievements shortly after.