The 5th annual Pro-AM dinner and auction will be held October 27, at 6:30 at the Royal BVI Yacht Club. The dinner, a fund raiser for the youth sailing program and Team BVI, has become a popular event with the help of world renown professional sailors. This year, Ben Ainslie, world class Olympian and America’s Cup racer, will join the ranks of notables such as Dawn Riley, David Perry, Robbie Haines, and Russell Coutts, who have given their time to support the BVI programs.

Ben Ainslie, a two time Olympic gold medalist, came from a sailing legacy. His father, Roderick 'Roddy' Ainslie, was a captain during the first Whitbread Round The World Race in 1973. Ben grew up in Cornwall, UK and started sailing at the age of 4 and first competed at the age of 10. Ainslie's first International competition was the Optimist 1989 World Championship's held in Japan where he placed 37th. Six years later, in 1995, he won a gold medal at the World Youth Championships, With several youth championships under his belt, at the age of nineteen, Ben qualified for the British Olympic squad and the 1996 Atlanta Games. He was awarded the title of British Yachtsman of the Year in 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2002. He is also the holder of an MBE.

In 2000 Ben competed in his second Olympic Games and in Sydney, he added an Olympic Gold to his various world titles. In Athens 2004, he defended his title as an Olympic Champion but this time in the Finn class. He was victorious securing his second gold and crowning himself as one of Britain’s most successful Olympians.

Life after the Games took on a different route. The world of the America’s Cup beckoned and Ben joined challengers Emirates Team New Zealand working in the role of Tactician in the quest for sailing’s greatest prize. In May 2005 Ainslie took the decision to relinquish the role of tactician and focus on improving his Match Racing skills as helmsman of the 'B' boat used to practice and tune the race boat helmed by Dean Barker

Ben is at the height of success in the sailing world. World Champion on seven occasions, three Olympic medals and now sailing with one the top America’s Cup teams. But, with less than a year to go until Beijing 2008, Ben is about to enter the final qualification process for the next Games; if he qualifies he will be one of the most senior member on the British Squad in China.

Ben will be in the BVI competing in the Bitter End’s ProAm from October 28 through November 3rd.

For more information: Contact Judy Petz, 284-494-3286 or email judy@bvispringregatta.org

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