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Eurosport spent 60 seconds with double Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Ben Ainslie and discovered what is in his garage - and which nationality grinds his gears.

What is your earliest sporting memory?

Probably the first cricket match I played in school when I was about seven or eight. I cannot remember much about the match other than that I was very excited about the whole thing. I don't play anymore though - I've left that long behind.

What is the worst sporting venue you have ever competed at?

The World Championships in Moscow in 2005. There is nothing wrong with the city but the lake there was part of their Olympic bid and I have to say it was pretty terrible.

What is the best freebie you have ever blagged?

I was given a very nice Volvo car once.

What would you sing at karaoke?

Probably something from Oasis like Don't Look Back in Anger.

What has been your most extravagant purchase?

I treated myself to an Aston Martin a couple of years back (ES - the free Volvo not sufficient?) I really like them both!

What really grinds your gears?

Hmmm... (thinks) the Germans? Just joking, you probably shouldn't put that in? (ES - even if we make it clear you are joking?) Oh go on then!

What would you save if your house was on fire?

I think I'd go for my passport to be honest because I do so much travelling - that and my laptop. (ES - not your Olympic medals?) I don't keep them in the house - they are somewhere else for safekeeping.

What is the cutest animal you have ever eaten?

Maybe a kangaroo? It was not that great.

What would you be if not a professional sportsman?

I don't know - I might have joined the Royal Navy.

If somebody was stuck in your hometown for a day what would you recommend they do?

I live in Lymington in Hampshire. It's pretty quiet but I would recommend that somebody rent a bike and go cycling around the New Forest which is nearby - it is beautiful around there.

Why have you decided to write an autobiography?

It is a strange one (writing the book), it is not something I would be naturally inclined to do and I've turned down offers to write one in the past. However, I decided to finally write one to try and put across a side of the sport that people don't really know about. People often dismiss sailing as being an elitist sport, which it really isn't, and they don't really understand what it is all about, so I have tried to put all that across in the book.

Ben Ainslie's autobiography 'Close to the Wind', published by Yellow Jersey Press, is out now in all good bookstores.

Eurosport