Former British Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie was attacked and robbed of his Rolex watch at knifepoint in Barcelona.
The 47-year-old, who heads the UK’s Ineos Britannia team in the America’s Cup, was targeted by a group while exiting a restaurant on Saturday evening, local news outlets reported.
The watch is believed to be worth approximately €20,000 (£16,858).
Sir Ben notified law enforcement in Barcelona about the incident on Monday.
He shared with The Daily Telegraph: “Barcelona is an outstanding host city for the America’s Cup, and our team has felt welcomed, enjoying our time in this lively city.
“As is common in large cities, opportunistic crime can affect you, and my experience is no exception. This issue has now been handed over to the local authorities.”
The estimated value of Sir Ben’s watch was around €20,000 (£16,858). Pic: PA
Sir Ben has been participating in initial stages of Ineos Britannia’s efforts to secure the America’s Cup. Pic: AP
Explore additional coverage from Sky News:
‘Full-fledged war’ under way in West Bank, Israel says
Starmer indicates desire for reset with EU
‘Lonely’ dolphin linked to several attacks on humans, experts assert
Barcelona has experienced a surge in luxury watch thefts, prompting the establishment of a dedicated police unit specializing in high-value watch robberies.
Sir Ben is recognized as the most accomplished sailor in Olympic history.
He has secured medals in five consecutive Olympic events from 1996, including gold in four consecutive games from 2000 to 2012.
