Kai Hockley is the youngest member on the British America's Cup sailing squad. He may be only 18 years old, but as the team's first intern, he's determined to make it to the top of the sport.

Hockley began his journey to Barcelona in north London, where this weekend the British team, led by Ben Ainslie, will face New Zealand, the holders of the "Auld Mug", for the prized trophy.

Hockley said on Thursday that being surrounded by the best athletes in the world is an amazing feeling. It really motivates you.

"Winning is important to me and I love it." "I enjoy the feeling of winning, so I work hard," said an Arsenal fan who learned to sail a Pico on a reservoir in the inner city.

"I had absolutely no idea what I was doing." Hockley recalled, "I was floating around." He quickly progressed to larger boats and soon began competing in offshore races, such as the Fastnet Race.

Hockley was 13 years old at the time. She said: "I didn't understand what was going on, I was just having a good day with my friends." "It got pretty serious sometimes, too." We had a lot of fun, and it was an excellent learning experience.

'DRIVEN FOR WIN'

Hockley has said that he lost track of how many times he's circumnavigated Isle of Wight. This is the place where the America's Cup began in 1851 with a race before Queen Victoria.

He is now helping Ainslie in his quest to bring the Cup to Britain. Britain has never won this oldest sporting trophy.

Hockley, who first tried single-handed sailing, has now competed with his friends at Greig City Academy where Jon Holt, a teacher, has been promoting sailing as a career path for over a decade.

Hockley who won the Young Sportsperson of the year award earlier this week from Britain's Youth Sport Trust completed his schooling in the month of July and earned a distinction in Sports Studies. He has been working with Ainslie since August, and he lists rope splicing and stitching among his skills.

Hockley is motivated by the work ethic of the British team to go to the gym at the base and set his sights on the next Youth America's Cup. He will also be working for Ainslie's British SailGP Team next season. And "obviously", the America's Cup.

"That's what you love about working here... Everyone is driven to win... You can see that if you work hard, the results will follow. "So that's why everybody's just got their heads down," said he.

Hockley, when asked if he could give advice to young people who are unsure if sailing is right for them and wonder if they should try it out, said that he started sailing "just for fun".

"I never thought I would end up here." If you keep working hard and keep moving forward, things will work out," Hockley said, adding that he was "super proud" of what he had achieved. His family is also a big fan of the America's Cup. (Reporting and editing by Toby Davis; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)