London teen joins Ben Ainslie’s Emirates GBR SailGP team

A London teenager selected by Sir Ben Ainslie as a development sailor for his British sailing teams has joined the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team onboard its race boat for the first time. Kai Hockley, from Tottenham, joined the sailing squad for training sessions on the foiling 50-foot catamaran ahead of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old was in the grinder position, which provides the power needed to manoeuvre the wing on the F50. He was training alongside some of the world’s best sailors, including Olympic gold medallists Dylan Fletcher, Hannah Mills and Iain Jensen, as well as three-time America’s Cup athletes Neil Hunter, Nick Hutton and Luke Parkinson.

In April this year, Ainslie stepped down as driver of the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team to focus his attention on the America’s Cup. He is now looking ahead to the next iteration as the British team lost in Barcelona this autumn, but was confirmed as Challenger of Record.

“It was amazing to be on the F50 for the first time with the Emirates GBR team,” says Hockley. “I’ve been training in the gym all summer on the grinding machine but it feels completely different when you’re actually on the boat. I can’t believe the G-force you feel on there. There’s also so much to think about with having to run from one side of the boat to the other with each manoeuvre, but I can’t wait to get back on there. Being able to train alongside some of the best athletes in the sport and learn from them is incredible.”

In July, Hockley was announced as a development sailor for Sir Ben’s Athena Sports Group, which includes the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, the INEOS Britannia America’s Cup Team, and Athena Pathway Women’s and Youth America’s Cup Teams. He had previously undertaken a six-month internship with the Emirates GBR Shore Team, who help prepare and maintain the F50 for its races around the world.

The first phase of Hockley’s development programme was joining the INEOS Britannia and Athena Pathway British America’s Cup teams in Barcelona from August to November. As well as working with the shore teams on some of the most technologically advanced boats in the world, the AC75 and AC40, Hockley was also training twice a day with the sailing team to prepare for his time on board the F50 with Emirates GBR. The second phase is now underway, with Hockley being given one hour in the grinder position on the F50 each day the team trains. He will travel with the crew to 14 events around the world for SailGP’s 2025 Season as he works towards joining the team as a professional sailor.

Hockley was first introduced to sailing by his school, The Greig City Academy in Haringey, London, and has gone on to excel in the sport, winning Young Skipper of The Year at Cowes Week in 2023 and the Youth Sport Trust’s Young Sportsperson of the Year at the Sporting Equals Awards.

Despite his success, there was a lack of opportunities in the marine industry that were accessible for Kai, due to them either being short-term or unpaid.

This was highlighted to Ainslie and Emirates GBR’s CMO/CCO Jo Grindley by Greig City Academy Teacher Jon Holt. Together, they created a new internship programme that provides long-term, paid opportunities to young people.

Hockley was among the first intake on the programme and had six months with the team.

INEOS Britannia teammate, David ‘Freddie’ Carr, had mentored Hockley for several years through his voluntary work with The Greig City Academy and noted the talent he had. After being impressed by Hockley’s work with the Emirates GBR shore team, a 12-month development plan was created for him.

“We are committed to supporting the development of young sailors and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed,” says Ainslie. “Kai Hockley is a really exciting young talent coming through British sailing. It’s great to have him with us as part of the Emirates GBR SailGP Team. We are dedicating time for him to be on board the F50 on the limited training days we have in SailGP, as his progression is super important. I can’t wait to see how he develops throughout the season.”