Hampshire's sailing superstar knighted (From Daily Echo)
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Hampshire's sailing superstar Ben Ainslie knighted
1:52pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Echo Reporter
Sir Ben Ainslie is knighted by Princess Anne
ARISE Sir Ben.
Hampshire’s sailing superstar Ben Ainslie was knighted today by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.
The most successful yachtsman in Olympic history was awarded the knighthood in the Queen’s New Year honours.
Ben, who lives in Lymington, had been tipped to receive a knighthood ever since he won his fourth consecutive gold medal at the London Olympics in August.
His hard-fought victory in the Finn class at Weymouth followed similar successes at the 2000 Games in Sydney, the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 contest in Beijing.
Ben’s four golds, coupled with the silver he won in Atlanta in 1996, make him the most decorated sailor in Olympic history.
He also carried the British flag at the London 2012 closing ceremony.
Ben is set to be awarded the freedom of his home town of Lymington in recognition of his outstanding achievements.
