Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie replaces Sidney Gavignet to skipper Oman Air for Extreme Sailing Series
Great Britain’s Finn class sailor and former three-time Olympic gold and silver medal winner, Ben Ainslie has stepped into the extreme sailing circuit. He will now be skippering Oman Air in the next act of Extreme Sailing Series in Trapani. The Briton replaced
former Oman Air skipper, Sidney Gavignet from France, to take his place in the new team.
The British Olympian joined the Oman Air Extreme 40 team as a result of Gavignet’s announcement in August. The Frenchman announced he would be leaving the Extreme 40, which left Oman Air with no skipper on board so they decided bring one of the best Olympians
into their team. Ainslie has the potential to lead the Extreme 40 Oman Air yacht in the upcoming Extreme Sailing Series Act 6.
Before joining Oman Air, Ainslie was a part of Finn class sailing and earned several titles in the category. He clinched the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta Finn class title in August by 17 points, sailing outstandingly throughout the tournament
at Weymouth Bay. Ainslie is excited to enter Extreme Sailing and will be joining the Oman Air soon as skipper in their Multi One Design 70 campaign.
While speaking to local media about his joining, Ainslie said, “After such an intense period of sailing the Finn, it’s going to be great to get out there and do some different sailing. I had always planned to take a break from the Finn after the Olympic
Test Event, it’s a great opportunity for me and the switch to a different class will be a real positive.”
He further added, “In the past I have found that it is good to step away, learn new skills, sail with new people and ultimately come back refreshed.”
Ainslie will lead the Oman Air crew which includes Oman Air bowman, Nasser Al Mashari, tactician Kinley Fowler (AUS), who is an experienced match racer and trimmer David Carr (GBR), who has already sailed with Ainslie as a team member of Team Origin. Nasser
Al Mashari is excited to have Ainslie on board and believes having him in the team will bring them good results in Trapani.
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