VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Ben Ainslie

Date of birth: 05 February 1977

Star sign: Aquarius

Place of birth: Macclesfield, UK

Weymouth links: Lived in Coombe Valley Road, Weymouth, while preparing for the 1996 Olympics.

Current hometown: Lymington

Nickname: Beano

First boat sailed and where? Folkboat, Holyhead

Who got you into sailing? My parents

Favourite boat? Finn

Biggest influence in your career to date? My father

Your worst moement in sailing? Losing the Laser European Championships by doing the wrong course 1997

Your best moment in sailing? Winning Gold in the Sydney 2000 Olympics

Best sailing venue in the UK? Falmouth

Best sailing venue in the world? Sydney Harbour

Most annoying rule in the sailing rule book? Rule 42 - pumping rule

If you weren't a professional sailor what else would you be? F1 driver, in my dreams!

How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? Train hard, focus and have a plan

What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? Golf, movies, reading.

Most expensive sailing accident? Smashing two 100ft super Maxis together and doing over 100000 USD worth of damage.

What Football club you support? Chelsea

Do you follow any other sports? F1, golf and tennis

Any heroes? Russell Coutts, Paul Elvstrom.

What other sports do you play? Football, Golf

What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? Golf

Worst habit? Being late for meetings!

What word or phrase most depicts your personality? Focused

Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? Yes

What's your greatest fear or phobia? Air crashes

Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley? Milk, eggs, wine

What was the last book you read? New York by Edward Rutherford

What makes you angry? Queuing

Dream holiday? Being at home

What's better about football than sailing? The money

Where do you keep your Olympic medals? Good question...