Former Olympian Sir Ainslie has revealed how he was mugged and robbed outside a restaurant in Barcelona.
The 47-year-old was robbed at knifepoint of his Rolex, worth £16,858 (€20,000) when the incident happened on Saturday night in the Spanish city.
Ainslie, who is leading the United Kingdom’s Ineos Britannia team in the America’s Cup, reported the crime on Monday to Spanish police.
Local media outlet La Vanguardia reported on the shocking attack while Ainslie was keen to insist his time in Barcelona has otherwise been welcoming.
Sir Ben Ainslie was robbed at knifepoint leaving a restaurant
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He told The Daily Telegraph: “Barcelona is a fantastic host city for the America’s Cup, and 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 matter is now with the local authorities.”
A spokesperson for the Catalonia police Mossos d’Esquadra said: “Mossos d’Esquadra became aware of the theft with intimidation of a luxury watch from a man linked to a America’s Cup competition team, within the framework of the security device established in Barcelona on the occasion of this sporting event.”
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Barcelona is hosting the America’s Cup, the oldest international sailing competition still in operation, and one that the United Kingdom have never won.
Sir Ben is leading the team this year and has fine experience, having won four gold medals at the Olympics at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
He also won silver at Atlanta 1996 over an incredible Olympics career spanning three decades, making him the most successful sailor in Games history.
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Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful sailor in Olympics history
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Having now retired from sailing, Ainslie is now the Team Principal, CEO and Skipper of INEOS Britannia and is desperate to lead the United Kingdom to a first victory at the America’s Cup.
The British team are backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns the INEOS group, as well as being a minority shareholder at Manchester United.
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Sir Ben Ainslie is desperate to lead the UK to America’s Cup success
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There have been a spate of attacks on celebrity holidaymakers in recent times, including DJ Nick Grimshaw.
Celebrating his 40th birthday in Ibiza, the luxury apartment he had rented out was ransacked by masked thieves.
Eastenders star Jacqueline Jossa also had £20,000 worth of jewellery and cash robbed as burglars broke into her holiday villa while she and her children slept.