Discover How the Ainslie Family is Revolutionising the Future of American Sailing and SailGP

An engrossing conversation ensues as Ben Ainslie, the esteemed founder and director of Athena Racing, delves into his aspirations for the future alongside his wife Georgie, former Sky Sports presenter and host of the podcast series ‘Performance People’. Their lively exchange provides a rare glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action of the SailGP Grand Final series and the America’s Cup teams. Despite bidding adieu to his CEO role at Athena Racing recently, Ainslie anticipates an exciting future.

With a no-nonsense approach, Ainslie remains committed to his teams, adhering to a simple principle - doing ‘whatever is right for the team’. While he admits to the complexities of balancing his sporting career with the business side of things, the depth of his dedication is undeniable. He candidly shares his thoughts about his potential contribution, noting it’s not singularly his choice, but rests on what is best for the team.

The Founding Partners, Ainslie enlightens, are groups who enrol during the America’s Cup Entry period. However, late entries are subject to the unanimity of all board members. He proudly notes, “Ultimately, the teams, the Founding teams, will all own an equal share in that Partnership.”

The interview casts light on the desire amongst the 2024 America’s Cup teams for a structural, befitting change in the Cup’s organisation for the future. Ainslie recalls a thoughtful conversation in Barcelona, emphasising the need to deeply understand and harness the commercial potential of the sport. As they continue to ride the waves of incredible ventures, the Ainslies are undoubtedly steering American sailing into a buoyant future.