Volvo Sailing App Launch & An Interview With Ben Ainslie

Whilst you're probably well aware of Volvo's success in the world of luxury vehicle production, you may not be as well versed in the world of sailing, and the fact that this Swedish-based manufacturer has been a key sponsor of British sailing since 1999. Volvo UK has supported everything from youth development at grass roots through to Britain’s top sailors at the pinnacle of the sport.

And what better way to celebrate London's hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games than to teach the country's armchair pundits about the murky waters of sailing via some clever usage of technology. Having already been treated to an afternoon aboard a Volvo racing yacht at the 2012 XC60 Drive, we ventured into Covent Garden to catch-up with Team Volvo and a few members of Team GB Sailing who will hopefully be bringing in the medals for us next year.

The event saw the launch of the Volvo Sailing app which has already proved popular within the sailing niche. The iPhone and iPad app itself accompanies the already impressive Volvo Cars Sailing website which has a live blog, Meet The Team area and some fantastic coaching videos. The app adds to the experience with some expert tips, a "Sailing Toolbox" and a lot of "How To" videos teaching you about the ins and outs of the seemingly complex events. If stalking is more your thing, then you can even get updates as to the location of your favourite athletes!

Supporting the launch of the Volvo Sailing app were triple gold medalist Ben Ainslie, RS:X windsurfing world champion Nick Dempsey, Laser gold-winner Paul Goodison as well as the 470 team of Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills. We were lucky enough to get some insights from Ben, who next summer is aiming for his fourth gold medal. Read the interview below to find out more...

Adnan: What was your route into sailing and at what age did you think that this was something you could really excel at?Ben: My sailing route started through my family, particularly my Dad who is a very keen sailor, I owe a lot to the freedom and support they gave me as a youngster. I was able to sail as much as I wanted in my free time, it allowed me to really enjoy the sport. What started off as a hobby quickly turned into a way of life, but It wasn’t until I was about 16 years old when I won a world junior championships in New Zealand, that I realised that competitive sailing could be a career for me, since then I haven’t looked back.

Adnan: Could you tell our viewers a little bit about Finn - the discipline you race in - and how it differs from other classes?Ben: For the last two Olympics (Athens 04 & Beijing 08) I have sailed in the Finn class before that I competed in two Olympics in the laser (Atlanta 96 & Sydney 00). I felt like I had achieved everything I set out to in the Laser and that I needed a new challenge. I enjoy sailing the Finn more than I did the Laser. It is a more physical and complex boat which is a good challenge for me. You also have to be much stronger and very physically fit to sail the Finn.

Adnan: What is your current training regime, and how is that going to change as we near closer to London 2012?Ben: The training regime is pretty full on! To be competitive in the Finn Class I need to keep my body weight 10-12kg over my natural build and unfortunately this doesn’t just mean eating. I spend 4-5 days on the water a week for 3-5 hours per day, this could be anything from boat handling skills to tactical simulation. I then do four gym sessions a week split between the main muscle groups to work on increasing the muscle mass, I also run 2-3 times for a week for 45mins on varied days.

Adnan: Do you think Britain has a chance of topping overall medal tables with our homeground advantage, as China did in 2008?Ben: It’s important to be realistic and set targets accordingly, most nations are professional these days and their athletes will be living in the UK at least 12months before the games and using the facilities so home advantage in that sense is not a major factor.

Adnan: How has Team Volvo helped you accomplish some of your goals since they started supporting sailing in 1999?Ben: Being part of Team Volvo has been a massive support in my campaigns. In particular the cars are fantastic for sailors, with all the kit we need. I tow my boat all over Europe to the various events, so my car needs these capabilities whilst still being fun to drive. I love my current Volvo V60.

Adnan: Finally, what one piece of advice would you give to the ambitious younger generations looking to emulate some of the success you've had?Ben: Follow your dream. Most things in life you can make happen if you really want it and you are dedicated. If there is a sport you are into then do some research on how to get the right coaching and who the best people in the game are.

Download the official Volvo Sailing iPhone app here