SailGP hits new landmark with Dubai race

Ben Ainslie is hoping to lead Great Britain to glory at SailGP Dubai (Image: GETTY)The world of elite level sailing is arriving at a rapid pace. This weekend SailGP, the ready-made rival to Formula One on water, is docking in the luxurious waters of Dubai for its latest instalment of high octane action. Boats – more specifically F50 catamarans – from several nations will compete for a podium finish, with almost all eyes locked on the figurehead skipper of the Great Britain vessel; Sir Ben Ainslie.For years, sailing has remained a relatively lesser seen sport, flitting into the consciousness of the masses during Olympic qualification and the Games themselves. This however is about to change.As recently reported by Express Sport, the cutting edge SailGP is blazing a trail when it comes to putting itself among the sporting elite, with a fly-on-the-wall deep dive documentary series very much in the offing.Sports fans will soon be getting familiar with the many electric and often eccentric personalities of the world class athletes who occupy the sport of sailing at the highest level, but until that point comes, one name remains most prevalent.Even for those not at all acquainted with the sport, the name of Ben Ainslie rings the bells of instant familiarity. With his four Olympic gold medals, Ainslie is to sailing what Tiger Woods is to golf, or Roger Federer to tennis.Speaking with Express Sport for an exclusive interview prior to SailGP’s most recent foray in the ancient port city of Cadiz in south west Spain, the 45-year-old Ainslie handled this comparison to such sporting icons with immediate humiliity.”I think all sports people have a responsibility, I think that’s a privilege. In my career, I know I’ve got to set the right standards for the youngsters coming through,” says Ainslie.After breaking into a grin at the mention of a Youtube compilation reel of his most angry moments, where tempers have boiled over very publicly on the high speed catamarans which more closely resemble fighter jets that actual boats, Ainslie continues: “I can’t claim I’ve been perfect throughout my career, you’ve alluded to a few moments where my competitive instincts have got the better of me. But it’s really important, we’re trying to inspire the next generation coming through.”Whether it takes the racing on the water or off the water, providing those opportunities. Does it add pressure? Not really. When you’re racing on the water you’re so in the zone and trying to do the best job you possibly can.”It’s an easy cliche to use, but things at SailGP are very much hands-on-deck for Ainslie, who has invested a considerable chunk of his own money into the business itself – with the overall aim of making SailGP a globally renowned league of sailing excellence, for fans around the world to enjoy and become a part of.Though he acknowledges that the purely sporting element of his career is now very much in the twilight zone, Ainslie effortlessly carries the manner of a no-nonsense athlete with a composed and calculated business acumen; a James Bond figure of the seven seas, of sorts.With the likes of Netflix and Amazon sniffing around SailGP, the marketing of the competition seems to be in rude health. For Ainslie however, much bigger tasks also exist. Namely the continued roll-out and perfecting of the Women’s Pathway Programme.In the last Season 3 event of 2022, the Dubai Sail Grand Prix is the seventh stop of the global sailing championship, and an opportunity for the sport of sailing to showcase itself to a brand new audience.The training has cranked up through the gears and Great Britain are eager to make amends from the most recent outing in Cadiz, during which extreme highs and lows were served in the form of both a first and last place finish in highly contrasting races.For Ainslie, it’s all about getting the preparation right. But, most curiously… how does he fit it all in? The lifestyle of a 45-year-old athlete/CEO is quite literally non-stop, though Ainslie maintains a balance has, miraculously, been discovered.”It’s full on,” he admits.”My wife (TV presenter Georgie Thompson), has her own business as well so she understands the challenges. We’ve got two young kids, but we have a really good support network around us.”As busy as I am, having that family network around makes a huge difference. For my average day, I guess I try to get at least an hour of fitness in per day which is quite tough, depending on where I am. I ended up doing quite a lot running because it’s just easy, grab your trainers and go, no matter where you are in the world, If you’ve got half an hour or an hour you can get something done.”I also do a lot of cycling and the team do as well, it’s a great way of maintaining the fitness with low impact. Most of the days are management based, meetings, whether they’re team meetings or commercial based management. The time on the water, the competition time, it’s really a privilege for me now. It’s what I’ve always been used to but it’s great to get back in the zone.”Whether the zone will be perfectly achieved in the idyllic Dubai waters for Ainslie and his crew remains to be seen, but with a grand final in San Francisco next May beckoning, the time to make a statement is now. There can be no promises that Ainslie won’t be adding to the Youtube highlight reel of furious moments, but secretly this is what many fans and pundits alike are hoping for.Pulse-racing action and a Great Britain podium finish is the plan – now it’s over to Ainslie and crew to deliver once more.More information on SailGP, including race rules and current leaderboard standings, can be found here.