Sir Ben Ainslie
My Story
I’m running so young people know there are no limits on their potential
I didn’t find science and maths easy at school. I didn’t follow a traditional path to university. Instead, I competed in my first Olympics at just 19.
But what I didn’t realise at the time was this: every time I stepped onto a boat, I was using maths and science. Even kicking a football around with friends, I was calculating angles, speed and probability without even thinking about it. It was all science.
We use science every day. We just don’t always see it.
Today, leading a team of over 50 designers, engineers and AI specialists in the America’s Cup, science and maths power everything we do — from calculating distance to the start line, to analysing data at race speed, to flying a boat above the water using pure physics.
I learned best when I saw science in action, and that’s why we founded the 1851 Trust.
At the 1851 Trust we use sport-inspired learning to bring science and maths to life, helping young people connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world.
Because sometimes it’s not that you’re “not good” at something, you just haven’t seen it in a way that makes sense to you yet.
I’m running this marathon to help more young people to have access to a world-class education, to see that there are no limits on their future and to believe they can achieve the unimaginable.
If you believe you can reach your potential, you can — just as I did.
If you’re able to support, I’d be hugely grateful.
Thank you.
Sir Ben Ainslie
