Stick a Fork in Me, I’m Done

Britain’s Ben Ainslie became the most decorated Olympic Games sailor in history on Sunday when he captured a fourth consecutive gold medal before announcing his intention to quit.

The 35-year-old, who also won silver in 1996, overtakes Denmark’s Paul Elvstrom, who won four golds from 1948 to 1960 as the sport’s most successful sailor. Ainslie also matched the record for most Olympic sailing medals won in total, held by Torben Grael (BRA), who won gold in 1996 and 2004, silver in 1984 and bronze in 1988 and 2000.

But despite his dramatic triumph after a tense week of sailing, Ainslie said it was unlikely he will still be in a boat at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“You can never say never but I don’t think I can sail one of these again, it’s killing my body so I don’t think you will see me in Rio. But it’s the best way to bow out at a home Olympics,” said the Briton.

“After six races I was in a bit of trouble, thankfully I turned things round and got it right when it counted. This was one of the hardest courses I have raced on and I don’t want to do anything like that again.”

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