Ben Ainslie factfile and podcast

Aug 8 2008 The Journal

BRITAIN'S most successful Olympic sailor Ben Ainslie, from Cheshire, was disqualified from the first two races of the 2004 Olympics but made a comeback to take gold.

He will be looking to repeat the feat when he takes to the water on August 9 at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center.

1977: Born February 5 in Macclesfield. Home town: Lymington, Hampshire.

1992: Wins in Laser Radial class at UK Optimist National Championships.

1993: Wins Laser Radial World Championship and Laser Radial World Championship.

1994: Finishes second in Laser class at Youth World Championships.

1995: Wins Laser class at Youth World Championships and finishes first at British Olympic trials. Named British Young Sailor of the Year and British Yachtsman of the Year.

1996: Wins Laser European Championships and takes silver in Laser class at Atlanta Olympics. Named Best International Newcomer by Sports Writers' Association.

1998: Wins Laser World Championships and Laser European Championships. Named ISF World Sailor of the Year.

1999: Wins Laser World Championships and Laser European Championships. Named British Yachtsman of the Year for second time.

2000: Wins Laser European Championships and wins gold in Laser class at Sydney Olympics. Named British Yachtsman of the Year for third time. Joins One World Challenge for the Americas Cup.

2001: Receives MBE in New Year honours. Switches to Finn class.

2002: Wins Finn World Championships and Finn European Championships. Named ISF World Sailor of the Year for second time and British Yachtsman of the Year for fourth time.

2003: Wins Finn World Championships, Finn European Championships and Olympic test event in Athens.

2004: Wins Finn World Championships and takes gold in Finn class at Athens Games.

2005: Receives OBE in New Year honours. Wins Finn World Championships and Finn European Championships. Joins Team New Zealand challenge for America's Cup.

2006: Wins in Finn class at Olympic test event in Qingdao.

2007: Named skipper for Team Origin challenge for America's Cup. Wins in Finn class at Olympic test event in Qingdao for second time.

2008: January - Wins Finn World Championships.

August - Wins … at the Olympics.