Ben Ainslie sued over accident

by Courtesy Scuttlebutteurope on 24 Feb 2005 A cyclist is suing Hampshire double Olympic gold medal winning yachtsman Ben Ainslie for more than £50,000 damages after he was seriously hurt in a car crash with the sailor.

Ian Ray, 41, is claiming more than £50,000 in compensation after the accident two years ago. He suffered serious head injuries in the collision on a roundabout in January 2003, and now needs intensive rehabilitation for a brain injury.

He also lost four upper teeth and sustained a spinal injury, a possible broken nose, severe facial cuts and bruises, and neck and left shoulder injuries in the accident.

Mr Ainslie, of Bath Road, Lymington, who has won two Olympic gold medals and one silver at three different Games, collided with Mr Ray on a roundabout near Itchen Toll Bridge, Southampton, according to a High Court writ.

The writ adds that Mr Ainslie, 27, has admitted liability for the crash in a letter to Mr Ray's solicitors in December 2003, but that the two sides are thought to be unable to agree how much compensation he should receive.

Speaking from New Zealand, where he is currently taking part in that country's America's Cup challenge, Mr Ainslie confirmed that he was aware of the case but declined to comment further. -- Sarah Lefebve, full story:

http://www.thisishampshire.net/hampshire/southampton/news/SOTON_NEWS_NEWS0.html