British Olympic hero Sir Ben Ainslie is behind what some are describing as one of sport’s greatest ever comebacks.
The sailor helped Oracle Team USA claw back an enormous deficit in the America’s Cup to draw level with Emirates Team New Zealand with just one race to go.
Oracle had been 8-1 down but won seven races in a row, inspired by the efforts of Sir Ben.
The five times Olympic medallist was drafted in ahead of race six, at which point his team had won just one race to Emirates’ four.
Skipper Jimmy Spithill said his squad had “gelled together” following the sailor’s arrival.
“Sometimes you need to face that barrel of the gun to come together,” he said.
“You can get wobbly in the knees or you can look into the barrel. Every day we’ve managed to step it up more.”
Sir Ben, a five times Olympic medallist, won gold in the Finn class at London 2012, when he pipped Danish sailor Jonas Hogh-Christensen in a memorable competition in Weymouth and Portland.
Writing on Twitter, he said: “Thanks for all the support. Whatever the result (on Wednesday), the last few weeks has been incredible racing between two great teams.”
:: The 19th and final race of the America’s Cup in San Francisco Bay is live on Sky Sports 2 tonight from 9pm.
Ben Ainslie Steers America's Cup Comeback
No comments:
Post a Comment