The Duchess of Cambridge joined Olympic legend Sir Ben Ainslie for a high-speed ride aboard Land Rover BAR's test catamaran in the seas off Portsmouth, England on Friday (20th May).

This was probably not where you would expect to find the Duchess of Cambridge on a Friday afternoon.

However, Kate Middleton seemed to adapt to her new surroundings as she joined Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR America's Cup team for a circuit of Portsmouth Harbour.

The Duchess took a turn at the helm of the T1 test catamaran, with Ainslie saying he was 'amazed' at how she has coped on the water.

Middleton is royal patron of the 1851 Trust, set up as part of the Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) charity, which aims to involve children and young adults in sailing and the technology of the sport.

Meanwhile Olympic gold medallist Ainslie is hoping to lead Great Britain to its first victory in the America's Cup this summer.

Who knows, should Sir Ben fins himself a crew member short this summer we could see the Duchess back on the water once again