Ben Ainslie to compete in the J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival 2012

Ben Ainslie, the triple Olympic gold and silver medallist and Britain’s most successful Olympic sailor,  has been selected by the British Olympic Association to represent GB in the Finn class, the class in which he won his two last gold Olympic medals in Athens and Beijing, at Weymouth and Portland for next year’s Olympics.

On the day he was selected Ben announced that his Olympic preparations would include competing in the J P Morgan Asset Management  Finn Gold Cup . In 2012  the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club will be hosting a two-week regatta in Falmouth, which will include the Finn British Open Championships (4 - 8 May) and the Finn Gold Cup (13 - 18 May). The Gold Cup will be a qualifying race for Olympic selection for a number of sailors and nations for the 2012 London Olympics. Close to 30 nations will be competing in the event in Falmouth.

Ben comments “The key events ahead of the Olympics will be the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup (2012 World Championships) next May in my home town of Falmouth. It’s the place I grew up in and learnt to sail so it’s going to be very special. Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta is at the start of June at the Olympic venue just eight weeks out from the Games itself.”

“The Finn Gold Cup has not been contested in this country for many years and will arguably be the most prominent and competitive regatta ever to be sailed in Falmouth Bay. We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome Ben and a host of sailors from all over the world to our wonderful sailing waters in Falmouth” adds Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall, at Cornwall Development Company.

Ben is an Honorary Life member of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and as a youngster learnt his sailing skills in the Fal estuary. His father Roddy was the catalyst for Ben’s love of sailing and his sailing career and is an active member of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

Robin Taylor, event director for the RCYC Finn event, said, “I am absolutely delighted that Ben has been selected to represent Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics. Ben will be sailing in the J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival in May next year and will be using the " Gold Cup" event as one of his warm ups for the Olympics. It is very exciting to be able to welcome Ben back to his home waters and to be able to watch him race against many of his fellow Olympic competitors”.