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