Sir Ben Ainslie dedicated his America’s Cup comeback to friend Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson who lost his life during training for the event in May
Four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie payed tribute to his friend Andrew Simpson after taking home the 34th America’s Cup on Wednesday.
The Oracle Team USA tactician played a starring role in what’s been described as one of sport’s greatest comebacks.
After recovering from a 1-8 deficit, the American side went on to win the series 9-8.
“After we crossed the line I looked up to the stars and thought of Bart and it was emotional. In some ways this was for him. He loved sailing and he loved the America’s Cup,” said Ainslie.
“It’s been a hard few months with his death and all that followed it.”
Ainslie becomes the first British sailor, and only the sixth in history, to win Olympic gold and the America’s Cup.
“This is the most amazing thing I have ever been involved in,” he said.
“When you are in the Olympics you are doing it on your own. You can enjoy the success but you can only let yourself down. This is more rewarding, doing it in a team means you can share this.”
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