WEYMOUTH, England (AP) — British star Ben Ainslie has recorded his first win in the London Olympics regatta to boost his bid to become the greatest sailor in games history.
It helped that Denmark’s Jonas Hoegh-Christensen, who had dominated through the first six races, capsized in strong winds and big waves on the English Channel on Thursday.
Hoegh-Christensen finished eighth in Race 7 and saw his lead over Ainslie dwindle to four points, 14-18. Race 8 was to follow.
Ainslie is trying to win his fourth straight gold medal and fifth straight Olympic medal overall to eclipse Denmark’s Paul Elvstrom as the greatest games sailor ever. Elvstrom won four straight golds from 1948-60.
Ainslie had finished behind Hoegh-Christensen in each of the first six races.
