Ben Ainslie robbed of £16,000 Rolex in Barcelona
Ainslie's Rolex stolen at knifepoint amid Barcelona theft surge
Sir Ben Ainslie disclosed that a gang in Barcelona robbed him of his £16,000 Rolex watch at knifepoint, amid a rise in high-end thefts in the city. The 47-year-old British yachtsman was confronted by armed individuals and had his luxury timepiece stolen on Saturday, according to Spanish police.
Ainslie, a five-time Olympic medallist, reported the theft on Monday while in Barcelona leading the UK’s Ineos Britannia team for the America’s Cup. The city has recently experienced an increase in high-end watch thefts, with wealthy tourists being primary targets.
In response, Spanish police have announced enhanced security measures for the America’s Cup event, creating a specialised team to address the issue. Ainslie expressed his gratitude towards Barcelona as a host city, acknowledging that opportunistic crime can occur in any major city. He mentioned that the matter is now with local authorities.
Sir Ben Ainslie has Rolex robbed at knifepoint in Barcelona | World News https://t.co/VPDcyqBfF3 pic.twitter.com/goAcwOErBF
— 🕯️visionrz (@Iamvisionrz) August 29, 2024
Focusing on the America’s Cup, Ainslie has stepped back from Sail GP. He arrived in Barcelona aiming to add another victory to his illustrious career. In an interview with El País before the competition, Ainslie expressed his hope that Britain would eventually secure an America’s Cup win.
The preliminary regatta, which concluded on Sunday, saw Emirates Team New Zealand emerge victorious. The next phase of the competition begins on Thursday. Barcelona footballer Robert Lewandowski experienced a similar incident two years ago outside the Ciutat Esportiva training ground. The 36-year-old’s £59,000 watch was taken as he greeted fans before an evening training session.
Lewandowski attempted to chase the thief, who had opened his car door to steal the watch. Police soon arrested a suspect and recovered the watch. Sir Ben Ainslie holds the record as the most decorated sailor in Olympic history, winning medals at five consecutive Games, including golds in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012.
Born in Macclesfield, Ainslie captained a boat in the first Whitbread Round The World Race in 1973. He began sailing at Restronguet Creek near Falmouth, Cornwall, at the age of eight and entered his first competition at 10. His international debut was at the 1989 Optimist World Championships in Japan, aged 12. On 19 May 2012, Ainslie became the first person to carry the Olympic torch in the UK.
What Other Media Are Saying
- BreakingNews24hr reports that Sir Ben Ainslie was robbed of his £16,000 Rolex at knifepoint by a Barcelona watch theft gang. The incident occurred after he arrived in Spain to lead Britain in the America’s Cup.(read more)
- Sailweb reports that Ben Ainslie was robbed of his Rolex watch at knifepoint in Barcelona, stating that the city is a welcoming host despite the crime.(read more)
- Sail World reports that Sir Ben Ainslie, INEOS Britannia’s skipper, was robbed at knifepoint in Barcelona, with thieves taking his €20,000 Rolex watch.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Sir Ben Ainslie in Barcelona?
Sir Ben Ainslie was robbed of his £16k Rolex at knifepoint by a Barcelona watch gang.
Why is Sir Ben Ainslie in Barcelona?
He is in Barcelona to lead the UK’s Ineos Britannia team in the America’s Cup.
How are Spanish police responding to the recent high-end thefts?
Spanish police are stepping up security for the America’s Cup by establishing a specialised team.
What did Sir Ben Ainslie say about the theft?
He mentioned that Barcelona is a fantastic host city and that opportunistic crime can happen in all big cities.
Has something similar happened to other athletes in Barcelona?
Yes, Barcelona footballer Robert Lewandowski experienced a similar theft two years ago.
