Sail-World.com : TEAMORIGIN skipper Ben Ainslie wins Olympic Gold
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TEAMORIGIN skipper Ben Ainslie wins Olympic Gold |
It was an historic day (Sunday 17 Aug) for Great Britain’s sailors as Ben Ainslie sealed Finn class gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Regatta in Qingdao.
Five-time Finn World Champion Ainslie, who is also Skipper and Helmsman of TEAMORIGIN, successfully defended the title he won at Athens 2004 to become Britain’s most decorated Olympic sailor of all time, surpassing Rodney Pattison’s previous record of two golds and one silver, a feat Ainslie had matched thanks to his Laser silver (Atlanta 1996), Laser gold (Sydney 2000) and Finn gold (Athens 2004).
Ben’s medal race had been rolled over to Sunday after light winds put paid to any chance of deciding the silverware on the intended Saturday, but in often monsoon conditions on the Yellow Sea Ainslie retained his crown in emphatic style romping to a race win to seal gold.
Victory in Qingdao has seen Ainslie match Germany’s Jochen Schumann and Russian Valentin Mankin’s three golds, one silver Olympic sailing haul leaving only Dane Paul Elvstrøm, winner of four consecutive golds between 1948 and 1960, with more Olympic sailing gold. Brazilian legend Torben Grael has won five Olympic sailing medals – two gold, one silver and two bronze.
Ainslie said: 'It felt like it would never come but there was great breeze and to win the race as well, I am a happy man. Conditions have been really tough, the light winds have been a real strength of will but today was a complete turnaround. I approached the race a bit differently to yesterday, as because the breeze was so light yesterday I couldn’t let Zach get away from me but today I was confident that with my boat speed and fitness I could get away and it all came good.
'You take each Games as it comes. Each one has been tough and we’ll see what happens in the future but I’ve enjoyed every minute of my Olympic sailing career, I’ve been very lucky. The draw of 2012 and racing on your home waters is huge. It's a long way away but if I've got a chance to be there and do well, I'd love to do it.'
Rod Carr, RYA Chief Executive added his congratulations: 'For me, Ben’s gold medal proves that he is the greatest dinghy sailor in the world at the moment. His record is only bettered by Paul Elvstrom. In many ways Paul and Ben are similar characters; slightly shy and retiring onshore but supremely determined and talented in a boat. His attitude and talent are an inspiration to thousands of young Brits who aspire to follow in his wake.'
www.teamorigin.com
by TEAMORIGIN
9:11 PM Wed 27 Aug 2008 GMT
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2008 Olympics Qingdao
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