Sailor Ben Ainslie Robbed at Knifepoint in Barcelona

Sir Ben Ainslie, the renowned British Olympic yachtsman, was robbed of his Rolex watch at knifepoint in Barcelona while preparing for the America’s Cup. The theft, valued at approximately €20,000 (£16,866), occurred on Saturday night, and Ainslie reported the incident to local police on Monday. He acknowledged the opportunistic crime, stating that while Barcelona is a welcoming host city, such incidents can happen in large urban areas. The city has seen a surge in high-end watch thefts, prompting authorities to establish a specialized police team to tackle the issue. Ainslie's experience adds to a troubling trend of similar robberies targeting wealthy tourists, including notable figures like footballer Robert Lewandowski. The incident has raised concerns about safety for participants and visitors during the prestigious sailing event.