Skippered by Rolex Testimonee Ben Ainslie, the Great Britain team edged the Australians by mere seconds to snatch victory in the opening event of SailGP Season 2
During the opening event of Bermuda SailGP Season 2 this April, Ben Ainslie demonstrated his talent, leadership and wealth of experience to lead Great Britain to pull off an upset victory over Australia, which was the reigning champion and hot favourite to clinch the race.
The day's event was as dramatic as it could get with lots of overtaking among teams, some crashes and even a capsize. But in a pulsating winner-takes-all final podium race, Ainslie and his teammates outmanoeuvred their supercharged F50 catamaran and triumphed against all odds to win after the team made a considerable improvement from coming in seventh in the first two races to edging the Australian team by a mere four seconds.
“It was a cracking race,” said the Rolex Testimonee, who is arguably the most successful sailor in Olympic history. He won gold at four consecutive Games held between 2000 and 2012. "It's what we want to do it for, go against the top sailors in the world in conditions like this—it was perfect."
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The Briton has had an expansive career in sailing, having competed in not only the Olympics but internationally in renowned races such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Rolex Sydney Hobart and most recently SailGP.
Besides his wins during the races, other notable highlights in Ainslie's career include the London Olympics in 2012, where he represented Great Britain and carried the Union Jack flag during the closing ceremony, and his knighthood in 2013 for his outstanding displays in sailing.
In an interview with Rolex, the 44-year-old shared his determination to overcome challenges: “I respond to these moments and whenever I have needed a kick or inspiration to turn things around they bring out the best in me ... these victories are the most rewarding.”
