Ben Ainslie On His Perfect Weekend

Ben Ainslie is the most successful sailor in Olympic history – but it’s home shores for his dream weekend.

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The Weekender: Ben Ainslie

First of all: where is it? I would head back to Cornwall for the weekend, to a place called Restronguet Creek on the Carrick Roads, where I first learned to sail.

Solo trip? It would be with my wife, Georgie, and the kids. It’s a Swallows and Amazons location, with plenty of adventure for the little ones to enjoy.

Big or small hotel? There are so many great places to stay in Cornwall. We would go for The Idle Rocks hotel in St Mawes, which is owned by some great friends David and Karen Richards.

How do you like your eggs? Poached, medium, with bacon on the side.

And your coffee? Long black.

How do you like to discover a place you’re staying in? I know Cornwall like the back of my hand from years of exploring as a youngster – but each time we visit, I still find places I didn’t know existed. It really is a magical part of the world.

Does your ideal Saturday night away involve dancing? I’m afraid I’ll never make the Strictly Come Dancing final – I leave the dancing to my daughter, Bellatrix.

What’s your cocktail order? Amaretto sour.

Will you be cooking? Georgie and I try to cook together on these trips – at least I try, but mostly just get in the way – as it’s a nice way to spend quality time together.

What outfit do you need for this weekend? Depends on the time of year, but with British weather, you need to pack everything!

If you go for a walk, where will you go? We would head over to the Helford River; my parents used to live in Manaccan. The coastal paths are stunning and there are plenty of great local pubs to stop for a quick pint or bite to eat.

Will you be doing any exercise? Yes, I like to run five to ten kilometres a day generally, and there’s no excuse when on holiday – there are some wonderful trails to explore in the area.

What are you reading? I have yet to read Boris Johnson’s book Unleashed. I’m sure it will be an interesting and entertaining read.

What are you watching? I don’t get to watch much nowadays, but it could be an opportunity to binge on Drive to Survive on Netflix.

Is there anything else that would make a weekend perfect for you? A great sleep. After three years of development, my wife Georgie and I have recently launched Ainslie + Ainslie Performance Powders. I use NIGHT POWDER each evening to aid my rest and recovery.

Ben Ainslie’s Top Sailing Spots

1. Cornwall: Popular sailing spots here include the Fal Estuary and harbour towns like Padstow and Fowey.
2. Isle of Wight: The sailing here is considered world-class. Yarmouth harbour is a great place to start.
3. Portsmouth: This is where the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix will be taking place this July.