Sir Ben Ainslie robbed of Rolex at knifepoint in Barcelona
Sir Ben Ainslie, principal and skipper of INEOS Team UK. Image courtesy of Ricardo Pinto/America’s Cup.
Sir Ben Ainslie, the most decorated Olympic sailor in history, was reportedly robbed of his Rolex watch at knifepoint in Barcelona just before the qualification races for the America’s Cup, according to Spanish media.
Ainslie, 47, was approached by a group on Saturday night (24 August 2024) who threatened him with a knife and stole his Rolex, valued at €20,000 (£16,858), as reported by the newspaper La Vanguardia. The incident was not reported to the police until after racing in the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta had concluded.
The sailor, who is a four-time Olympic gold medallist, confirmed the incident in a statement.
In the statement, Ainslie sought to downplay the significance of the robbery: “Barcelona is a fantastic host city for the America’s Cup. The team has felt welcomed and is enjoying our stay in this vibrant city. Like in all big cities, you can be affected by opportunistic crime and my situation is no different. This is now a matter with the local authorities.”
Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), the reigning champions of the last America’s Cup, secured a win in the first round robin of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli finishing in second place. The outcome mirrors the 2021 Cup in New Zealand, where the New Zealand team also triumphed over the Italians.
Aiming to secure the first-ever victory for the British crew at the America’s Cup, Ainslie is leading his team in the prestigious competition.
Starting today (29 August 2024), Ainslie is competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, a series of races that will determine which team will challenge the defending champions, New Zealand, in the America’s Cup in October. The incident was not mentioned in an opening media conference held yesterday (28 August 2024).
Ainslie serves as both the team principal and skipper for the Ineos Britannia team, supported by billionaire and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group. Ainslie stepped down as driver of Great Britain’s SailGP team earlier this year to focus on the America’s Cup.
Targeted high-end watch thefts are a rising concern in Barcelona, and the city has set up a specialised police team in response to the growing problem.
