Sir Ben Ainslie

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."

DISCS:
Elton John - I'm Still Standing
Carly Simon - Coming Round Again
Emeli Sandé - Read All About it
Danielle de Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti - Vide Cor Meum
Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
Coldplay - Fix You
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras - Edward Elgar's Nimrod from Enigma Variations
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.