Sir Ben Ainslie describes the "numerous occasions when the RNLI got him out of trouble"
by RNLI 21 Nov 2023 10:34 EST
Ben Ainslie, INEOS Britannia CEO and Skipper, stands in front of T6 in Palma de Mallorca, the team's base for their Winter Training Camp © C.Gregory/INEOS Britannia
The most successful sailor in Olympic history talks about the importance of never giving up.
For the RNLI's 200 Voices podcast series, Sir Ben Ainslie tells listeners of the time Falmouth lifeboat saved him and his family as a child, and when he and fellow Olympian Ian Percy capsized on Hayling Sandbar and had to be rescued by the local inshore lifeboat.
He might have won multiple Olympic medals, but Sir Ben still gets caught out by the sea. Hear him talk about the necessity of having grit and determination to get through challenging conditions - traits he shares with lifeboat crew. Listen/download the podcast here, or watch the Youtube video below.
An RNLI ambassador, Sir Ben also reflects on his lifelong connection to the charity, from being rescued with his family as a child, to the laying of the foundation stone at the RNLI College in 2004 and a memorable visit to Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
"I have a huge amount of respect for the RNLI. It's been ingrained in me really since childhood."
RNLI website: rnli.org