SIR Ben Ainslie was robbed at knifepoint for his £17,000 Rolex in Barcelona. Ainslie, 47, recalled the horror as a gang mugged him while out for a meal on Saturday night in the Spanish city. The terrifying attack unfolded when he was leaving a restaurant, as reported by local media La Vanguardia.
Ainslie reported the theft to Barcelona police forces on Monday. He told The Daily Telegraph : "Barcelona is a fantastic host city for the America's Cup, and the team has felt welcomed and is enjoying our stay in this vibrant city. "Like in all big cities, you can be affected by opportunistic crime and my situation is no different.
This matter is now with the local authorities." It comes as the four-time Olympic sailing gold medallist is working towards leading the British crew to a first-ever victory at the America's Cup. On Thursday Sir Ben, who is team principal and skipper, is scheduled to start racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup.
This involves a gruelling set of races that determine which boat will take on defending champions New Zealand for the America's Cup in October. The British team are backed by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group. Sir Ben has scooped medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, including gold at four consecutive games held between 2000 and 2012.
It comes after Nick Grimshaw was targeted by a masked gang of thieves in Ibiza who ransacked his luxury apartment. The former Radio 1 DJ had rented the villa to celebrate his 40th bi.