Sir Ben Ainslie

Today we had Sir Ben come in to do a talk. This guy is legendary and in the same vein as James Cracknell. 4 straight golds in 4 consequentive Olympics and his favourite show is Only Fools and Horses. Say no more.

And he was on that 'team' who won the Americas Cup in 2013 from that notorious 8-1 losing position to the Kiwis. I remember this clearly as on that very morning of Sep 13 I was in Auckland for board meetings and in my hotel foyer were literally hundreds of drunk Kiwis prematurely celebrating sipping champagne. I remember thinking what is all this about and then more drunk Kiwis on the walk to the offices. Interestingly he put that comeback down to a Mourihno esque siege mentality. He then told of his one time dinner with Mourihno and the conversation around that subject.

Now the Americas Cup is Ben's sole focus leading the Range Rover British team. No British team has won in its 165 year history and only 1 team has ever won on debut. This time is different he says 'as this time he wants to win for queen and country' :)

On the Olympics in 2012 he said it was second to none given the feel good factor in the country and the realisation for Britian that we can host amazing events.

Other notable points:

1. Mentor: Russel Coots head of Oracle boat which won in 2013

2. Some life: he told of his sponsored travels to far reaching places still very young to sail boats operated by wealthy businessman with deep pockets

3. He spoke of his buddy Andrew Simpson who tragically lost his life last year after his boat capsized and he got trapped underneath the skull. It's a dangerous sport.

4. His goal: Trying to be the McLaren of the marine industry.

5. He questions notion that sailing is an elitist sport pointing to grass roots which is egalitarian.

6. Ingredients of success: ability to lead team, interact with all walks of life and rise to occasion to deal with pressure when called upon coupled with very high work ethic. You have to want success

7. Winning much better as a team (Americas Cup) versus Single comps (Olympics). Explains the very nexus of the HuRT squad

Super nice guy and would be not at all surprised if the Range Rover team bring home the Americas cup next year. I am always fascinated what makes these guys tick.

Got out for 40 mins at lunch and post 3kish warm up ran 5 x 1.2k intervals along the river on the new bike lanes. It's a revelation for London runners and they have taken it to be their own. Felt OK today not pushing it and averaging just over 3.30s with the last one Garmin messing around. Great to get out and do session during the day.