Ainslie gets the nod for Beijing
Double Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie, who discovered his love for sailing while growing up in Cornwall, will have the chance to defend his Olympic crown in Beijing.
The 30-year-old is one of nine sailors officially selected by the British Olympic Association to compete at the 2008 Games.
Ainslie along with Devon based 49er World Champions Stevie Morrison-Ben Rhodes and other members of the sailing team are the first official members of ‘Team GB’.
Ainslie will compete in the heavyweight Finn class following his impressive showing at the Sydney International Regatta last month, where his dominant performance, coupled with back to back wins at the two Olympic Test Regattas at Qingdao in 2006 and 2007, sealed his nomination to compete at a fourth Olympic Games.
Already the owner of a silver medal from Atlanta 1996 as well as golds from the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Games, Ainslie looks set to be one of Great Britain’s most decorated Olympians in Beijing, and he’s relishing the challenge of going for his third straight Olympic gold.
“It is fantastic news to be chosen to defend my Olympic Finn title in Beijing, and I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to once again represent my country at the Olympics,” said Ainslie.
