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Episode details

Radio 4 Extra,14 Aug 2016,45 mins

SeriesNautical Castaways

Sir Ben Ainslie

Desert Island Discs Revisited

Available for 30 days

Olympic yachtsman Sir Ben Ainslie is castaway by Kirsty Young. 11 times World and 9 times European Champion, Ben is also the most successful sailor in Olympic history. As he crossed the finishing line at the London 2012 Games, winning his fourth gold, the crowd gave a rousing rendition of Rule Britannia. Indeed he rules the waves with such a ruthless will to win it seems somewhat contradictory that on dry land he comes across as an unassuming bloke from Cornwall. He was eight when, in a duffle coat and wellies, he made his first solo journey in a little wooden boat. Ever since sailing has been his obsession. He's brave, strong and skilled, but it's his tactical nouse and maverick streak that sets him apart. In 2013’s America's Cup, he turned a 1-8 defeat into a 9-8 win for the US. Whether he can do the same for his home team may be his next big challenge. He says: "The desire to win is still the same as ever ... if it wasn't there, that would be a worry. Motivation has never really been a problem for me." DISC ONE: Elton John - I'm Still Standing DISC TWO: Carly Simon - Coming Round Again DISC THREE: Emeli Sandé - Read All About it DISC FOUR: Danielle de Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti - Vide Cor Meum DISC FIVE: Fleetwood Mac - The Chain DISC SIX: Coldplay - Fix You DISC SEVEN: London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras - Edward Elgar's Nimrod from Enigma Variations DISC EIGHT: Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World BOOK CHOICE: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens LUXURY CHOICE: A flight simulator Producer: Cathy Drysdale First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2014.

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