Sir Ben Ainslie, Britain's most accomplished Olympic sailor, experienced an unfortunate incident in Barcelona, where he was robbed of his valuable Rolex watch. The theft occurred on August 24, 2024, when a group confronted the yachtsman at knifepoint, taking his timepiece valued at approximately €20,000.
Ainslie, who is currently in Barcelona leading the UK's Ineos Britannia team for the America's Cup, reported the incident to local authorities on August 26. The America's Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy first awarded in 1851, is set to take place in Barcelona in 2024, with Rolex serving as the official timekeeper since 2017.
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city, has been grappling with a surge in high-end watch thefts targeting affluent visitors. In response, local law enforcement has established a specialized unit dedicated to addressing these crimes.
Despite the incident, Ainslie maintained a positive outlook on the host city. In a statement on August 28, he said:
"Barcelona is a fantastic host city for the America's Cup, and the team has felt welcomed and is enjoying our stay in this vibrant city. Like in all big cities, you can be affected by opportunistic crime and my situation is no different. This matter is now with the local authorities."
[[Sir Ben Ainslie's statement on the incident]]
Ainslie's illustrious career includes winning medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1996 to 2012, with gold medals in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London. His exceptional achievements in sailing led to his knighthood in 2013.
This incident is not isolated. Two years prior, FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski fell victim to a similar crime when a thief, posing as a fan, forcibly removed a watch worth an estimated €70,000 from his wrist while he was signing autographs.
The America's Cup, often referred to as the "Auld Mug," is a match race between two sailing yachts held every 3-4 years. Ainslie, who began sailing at the age of 8, has led British challenges for this prestigious trophy in 2017 and 2021.
Barcelona, known for its unique architecture and busy Mediterranean port, previously hosted sailing events during the 1992 Summer Olympics. As the city prepares to host the America's Cup, it faces the challenge of ensuring the safety of high-profile visitors and participants amidst the ongoing issue of luxury watch thefts.