Ben Ainslie is crowned Sailor of the Year
Cornish sailor Ben Ainslie has won the International Sailing Federation's Sailor of the Year award for a fourth time.
Ben, 30, who learned to sail in Restronguet, won the coveted title after a season in which he became the world's most successful Olympic sailor.
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Ben Ainslie, who won his fourth Olympic gold medal at London 2012, above, celebrates with fellow Sailor of the Year Lijia Xu, below
His victory at the London 2012 Games brought his overall Olympic success to four golds and one silver, surpassing Denmark's Paul Elvstrom, a four-time Olympic gold medallist between 1948 and 1960.
Ben said: "Winning the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award is a huge honour, especially for everyone who has helped me.
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"There is a huge team in the background from family, friends, coaches and sponsors who helped make it happen.
"It is a huge honour to be part of such a group of exceptional sailors who were put forward for this award."
He previously won the Sailor of the Year accolade in 1998, 2002 and 2008.
At he ISAF awards ceremony, held at Mansion House, in Dublin, Lijia Xu was crowned as the female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year.
Xu became the first Chinese, and indeed Asian, sailor to win an Olympic gold medal in a dinghy sailing boat when she won the Laser Radial event at London 2012.
She said: "Sailing has given me the chance to chase my dreams and the stage to show my potential.
"It has provided me with the opportunity to see, feel and explore the world."
The winners were chosen by more than 130 of ISAF's national authorities.
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