Bid To Bring Sailing Cup To South Coast

29 September 2013, 11:51 | Updated: 29 September 2013, 11:52

Lymington sailor Sir Ben Ainslie's success in the America's Cup this week might help bring the event back to the south coast.

It started as a race round the Isle of Wight a hundred and sixty years ago.

Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy Chairman Tim Hancock explains it needs a British-based team to win it first:

''Whoever holds the cup gets to choose the venue.

We're all obviously optimistic now that Ben can get the money together, get a campaign together, win it and then bring it back to the south coast.''

Tim added that he was full of praise for Sir Ben’s  achievements. He said:

''It's quite hard to add any more accolades for Ben.

Let's be honest, he's got four gold medals and a silver, which is unbelievable.

He's just phenomenal, he clearly added a huge amount to the American team and I think he was instrumental in helping them to win the Americas Cup''.

Ainslie's team this week came back from 8-1 down to win 9-8.