Name: Ben Rhodes
Date of birth: May 10 1981
Star sign: Taurus
Place of birth: Southampton
Current hometown: Exmouth
Nickname: Rodent
First boat you sailed and where? Cadet in Exmouth
Who got you into sailing? My Dad
Favourite boat: My 20ft Hunter Medina!
Biggest influence in your career to date? My family
Worst moment in your sailing career? Beijing Olympics result
Best moment in your sailing career? Winning Worlds in Cascais in 07
Best sailing venue in the UK? Exmouth
Best sailing venue in the World? Still looking
If you weren’t a professional sailor what else would you be? Unemployed!! Ha!
How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic-class sailor? Commitment and belief
What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? Climbing, guitar playing, my girlfriend and my dog
Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? Nothing long term
Most expensive sailing accident? Nothing worse than a snapped mast (touch wood!)
Football club you support? Doesn’t interest me!
Do you actively go and see them? Guess you know the answer to that one
Any heroes? Bjorn Dunkerbeck
What other sports do you play? Climbing, cycling, windsurfing
What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? Travel with my girlfriend around Nepal/Tibet
Worst habit? Loads, probably chewing my nails
What word or phrase most depicts your personality? Lovable rogue
If you were a pantomime character who would it be? Back of a horse!
Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? Salute magpies, never wear the event T-shirt during the event
What’s your greatest fear of phobia? Claustrophobia
If you had a theme song what would it be? Voodoo Chile
Favourite reality show? None
Name three things that are always in your shopping trolley? Cookies, fajitas, bread
What was the last book you read? Dead Reckoning Sam Llewellyn
What makes you angry? Poor workmanship
Dream holiday? Patagonia
What’s better about football than sailing? The money!
Where do you keep your Olympic medals? In my dreams at the moment
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