OLYMPIC hero Sir Ben Ainslie has revealed he may hand steering duties over to another team member for his assault on the America’s Cup.

Sir Ben, who won the 34th America’s Cup with American team Oracle, started off as a reserve helmsman with the crew but eventually ended up as their tactician.

The swapping of roles is largely credited for Oracle’s incredible win, which saw them come back from an 8-1 deficit to win the prestigious competition 9-8.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Sir Ben, whose Ben Ainslie Racing Team will compete in the 35th America’s Cup in 2017, gave insight into the team he is building.

“We’re putting together a predominantly British sailing team, a mix of experience with guys who have been there and won the Cup a few times as well as some younger, homegrown talent.”

Although an obvious choice to steer the boat, with four gold medals under his belt, Sir Ben said he would be prepared to take on a different role onboard for the final event. “If we were going racing tomorrow, I would be steering the boat,” he said, “but that might not be the same answer in a few years’ time.”

Last month Sir Ben’s application for his team to be acknowledged as an official challenger of record was accepted by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, home to winners Oracle. His team will represent the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. If successful, Sir Ben’s team will be the first Brits ever to win the event in its 165-year history.

Simon van der Byl, the CEO of the club, said: “We are delighted that Ben Ainslie Racing, led by Sir Ben, has asked Royal Yacht Squadron Racing to challenge on his behalf and are sure that, if anyone can bring the Cup back to its original home, he and his excellent BAR team can.”