Dans la catégorie des Finn, pas moins de 85 bateaux se sont affrontés dans les eaux de Majorque. Vainqueur de la Sail Melbourne en Australie en décembre 2010, et avec une seconde place à la Rolex Miami ORC aux Etats-Unis en janvier 2011, Ben était en tête de série mais talonné de près par son concurrent principal, le britannique Giles Scott. Le 9 avril, Ben remporte une deuxième médaille d'or et maintient sa première place du classement avec deux points d'avance.
L'événement à Majorque est suivi de la Semaine Olympique Française (à Hyères, en France, fin avril), la Delta Lloyd Regatta (à Medemblik, en Hollande, en mai), la Skandia Sail for gold (à Weymouth, en Grande Bretagne, en juin) et la Kieler Woche (à Kiel, en Allemagne, en juin).
Ambassadeur de la marque Corum depuis 2008, Ben Ainslie a declaré: “Le retour aux Finn a été dur. Il faut que je travaille plus sur ma condition physique. C'est bien de voir que les britanniques sont en tête, c'est motivant et c'est bien pour l'image de la voile en Angleterre. »
Le prochain rendez-vous avec Ben Ainslie est donné le 23 avril à Hyères.
Communiqué official de la régate Princesa Sofia Regatta à Palma (en anglais uniquement)
Ben Ainslie wins the 42 Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia in Palma
Ben Ainslie signed off a great weeks racing by winning the Finn medal race and securing the Finn Class title, he also took the overall prize for the best performance across all classes, with seven Race wins.
The medal race was another day of light winds and small choppy waves, Ainslie led from the top mark. His only threat, Giles Scott (GBR) was back in seventh. Ainslie increased his lead again on the second upwind while the rest of fleet had a tough fight at the first downwind mark. Ainslie comfortably maintained his lead and won by more than 150 metres (about 40 seconds).
Ben only came back the Finn full time in November last year after a two year break sailing with Team Origin. So far he's won Sail Melbourne (December 2010) and came second in Miami (January 2011). By winning Palma Ben increases his lead at the top of the ISAF Sailing World Cup and now leads the standings by 2 points.
On his return to the class Ainslie said:
“At Miami, I learnt a huge amount and despite some issues in the regatta finished one point off the lead. Since then we have been working hard on the kit development and fitness and I'm happy that we made some good gains. I'm really pleased with the progress made but certainly have more improvements to make.”
On the Palma Regatta Ainslie said:
“It's a tricky venue here in Palma but I seem to be getting back the fleet racing tactical calls and had good speed throughout a range of conditions. It is good to see the other British sailors doing well, it is motivating and is good for sailing in the UK.”
When asked if it had been a windy regatta it would have been a different story? Ainslie said:
“Who knows, it's not reality. The first day we had 25 knots plus and that was great fun and tough physically. We've had a good range of conditions at this event. It has been hard work to come back you need to be really fit. I'm working on my fitness and I still need to get used to the boat again.”
He has just two weeks to rest and get ready for the next leg in Hyeres, starting April 22.
