Britain’s triple Olympic gold medalist sailor and CORUM Ambassador, Ben Ainslie, received a CBE from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, (Thursday 11 June 2009), for services to sport, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Ben sailed into the record books at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning his third successive gold medal, added to his silver medal from Atlanta in 1996 when he was still a teenager. The four medals makes Ben Britain’s greatest ever Olympic sailor, but also Britain’s most successful solo Olympian having won four successive medals in an individual discipline.
Being made a Commander of the British Empire tops a year of honors for the 32 year old. The awards include being named World Sailor of the Year for an unprecedented third time.
“I’m honored to become a Commander of the British Empire, it’s an extremely proud moment, when you’re out on the water competing in the Olympics you’re racing for yourself but a part of you is also doing it for your country, so it’s fitting to be recognized in this way. Receiving the CBE from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is also great for my family who have supported me throughout my career. Knowing that I am supported by CORUM and its team around the world brings me feeling that moves me beyond my limits and allows me to tap into my confidence, strength and motivation, and to achieve new successes. Over the next couple of years I will be concentrating on competing in the World Match Racing Tour and looking to get back in the Finn to concentrate on the Olympic circuit in order to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.”
Antonio Calce, CORUM’s CEO, said the following of Ben: “Ben’s maturity, charisma, modesty and determination to succeed reflect CORUM’s values perfectly. His feat provides a key message that we share with him. He proves to each of us that when we are driven by passion, great achievements are within reach and that it is a team’s efforts, as individuals and in complement with each other, that bring victory. Ben is more than just a brand ambassador: he is a very generous person, and we consider him one of CORUM’s friends, an integral part of our family who actively participates in our company’s success.”
www.benainslie.com
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