The daredevil Duchess! Kate takes control during a high-speed boat race with Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth - and he's so impressed he offers her a place on his team 

She's known to be a keen sailor and today the Duchess of Cambridge showed off her prowess on the water as she took the controls and steered the boat during a high speed yacht race with Sir Ben Ainslie. 

Kate, 34, went out in the team's test boat T1 - a foiling AC45 catamaran - and took control, steering the boat out on the race course for the forthcoming Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series event in Portsmouth in July.

And the yachtsman, 39, who is the most successful Olympic sailor in history was so impressed by her skills that he said he would happily give her a place on his team.

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The Duchess of Cambridge helming a catamaran with Sir Ben Ainslie on a visit to Portsmouth today 

After two previous visits to Portsmouth when it poured with rain, Kate was finally able to get out on the water with Sir Ben Ainslie 

The pair wore personalised life jackets as they completed the training circuit on the Solent 

The Duchess of Cambridge (second right) on a 40 mph race around the Solent 

The Duchess, 34, impressed Sir Ben Ainslie with her skills during a 40mph boat race

After the outing Sir Ben said the team had enjoyed perfect sailing conditions and were amazed by how well Kate had done at the helm

Thanks to her performance today, Sir Ben said he'd be happy to have the Duchess on his racing team 

Speaking after returning to base, Sir Ben said he had been 'amazed' at how well Kate had taken the helm.

He said: 'I think the Duchess had a great time, it certainly looked that way. It was perfect sailing conditions, we had about 15 knots of wind, we were going up to 33 or 34 knots which is close to 40mph.

'The Duchess was steering the boat for about half of the session and I think the guys were all really impressed with how well she had sailed. She had done a bit of sailing before.

'We had a great sail, it was a blast and she thoroughly enjoyed it.'

Sporting success: Kate was said to have 'thoroughly enjoyed' her session on the water with the BAR team 

Kate, second left, managed to steer the boat in winds of up to 40mph

The Duchess (left) sets off for a race around the Solent 

Sir Ben Ainslie admitted that on a few occasions, the Duchess did a better job at the helm than he did 

Sir Ben revealed that the Duchess is eager to get George and Charlotte sailing as soon as she can

He continued: 'There were a few moments from the front of the boat that she was a better helms person than I am so I wasn't too happy about that so you never know I might give her a place.'

Sir Ben said the conditions were perfect and Kate had steered the boat at 40 mph.  

'It was great. We had a fantastic sail. It was perfect, quite strong winds, and reaching up to 40mph lifting out of the water, or foiling, as we do and the Duchess was steering the boat for about half the session. 

Helping hand: Sir Ben stepped in to make sure her helmet was strapped on securely

Kate chatted to Sir Ben as she prepared to join the crew of the Land Rover BAR for training circuit on the Solent

The Duchess of Cambridge proved she's a real water baby today as she set sail with Sir Ben Ainslie on a visit to Portsmouth

Earlier in the day, the Duchess of Cambridge arrived wearing a nautical style outfit by Alexander McQueen

Join the navy like Kate in a nautical skirt by Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen embellished wool-crepe skirt

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The Duchess of Cambridge is the queen of recycling her clothes.

Kate has a wardrobe to die for but clearly has a few old favorites she just loves to wear again and again, making her just like the rest of us. So seeing her in this outfit by Alexander McQueen for the third time comes as no surprise.

From the label's Pre-Fall 2011 collection, Kate first wore it in that year as well as in 2014 and now she's pulled it from the back of her closet for another trip out today. But we can hardly blame her. We love the nautical combination of navy and white and the matching gold button detail on both the skirt and blouse.

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'She was rated as 'very good.' 'We were all really impressed, she's clearly done a fair amount of sailing before. 

She had a feel for the boat. It's a really high powered racing machine and to be able to steer one of those at close to 40 mph for even a skilled sailor is a real challenge and she did a great job. 

'We had a wonderful sail. She really enjoyed it. She certainly looked like she did. This is fantastic for the team to have her involvement and have her support.' 

Recalling Kate's previous two visits when it had poured with rain, Sir Ben said he was delighted they had enjoyed good weather. 

Wearing a life jacket and waterproofs Kate cut a much more sporty figure after changing out of the Alexander McQueen top and skirt she arrived in this morning 

Sir Ben showed Kate the way as they prepared to take to the water in a catamaran 

The keen sailor was eager to get started as Sir Ben prepared to teach her some new skills on the water

Kate, 34, got a helping hand in fastening her helmet from Sir Ben Ainslie

The Duchess took the water after spending time chatting about sailing with local school children 

'Finally, we got the right conditions and we got her on the water. It was perfect day.' he said. 

He added that the Duchess had probably not sailed at such a high speed before. 

 'I don't think so, certainly not in a sailing boat,' he explained. 'It's full-on when you're out there at that speed with water and wind. It's really exhilerating, I think she really enjoyed it.' 

Kate's life jacket was personalised at the back with The Duchess of Cambridge

Not too tight: Sir Ben adjusted the strap to make sure it was just right 

The Duchess seemed to be having a little difficulty with her helmet 

Helping hand: Sir Ben assisted the Duchess before embarking on the thrilling high-speed ride in a racing yacht

He hopes the Duchess will visit again in July when the America's Cup qualifying contest takes place. 

'She supports the team heavily and is very involved with what we do. We'd love to get her racing with us as well if we can, we'll see.'

'For the world series the team is allowed to take a guest. There's a lot going on and we'll see what the schedule allows.'

He added: 'It was great to have the Duchess supporting the team as patron of the 1851 Trust and supporting our America's Cup bid and it's a real buzz when she is here sailing and joining us.'

The Duchess chatted with school children and members of the Land Rover BAR team who are challenging for the 2017 America's Cup

The Duchess tests out some of the new technology at Sir Ben Ainslie's racing HQ

Mohammed Asif Akhmad FROM BAE systems puts a microphone to Kate's head 

It's hoped that Kate will return to Portsmouth in the summer to support Ben's team in the Americas Cup 

A local school girl presented Kate with a bunch of flowers

Asked if the Duchess will one day bring her children one day, he replied: 'I hope so! She's certainly keen to get the Prince and Princess sailing at some time in the future.

'Whether that's down here or elsewhere - I'm sure there are some fantastic locations around the country and it would be great to see them sailing. It's always encouraging to see the next generation to come through.'

The Duchess was all smiles as she boarded one of the sailing champion's vessels and got a helping hand fastening her helmet from Sir Ben himself.

The keen sailor clearly relished the opportunity to get out on the water with the most successful yachtsman in Olympic history in a Land Rover catamaran.

Kate put her skills in the water to the test by joining Sir Ben and the crew of the Land Rover BAR to complete the training circuit on the Solent.

And she looked calm and confident as she chatted to Sir Ben before embarking on the thrilling high-speed ride in a racing yacht. 

The Duchess had spent a morning meeting young sailors and school pupils learning about sailing technology

The keen sailor clearly relished the opportunity to get out on the water with the most successful yachtsman in Olympic history in a Land Rover catamaran

Kate is shown the training circuit on the Solent by Sir Ben and his team 

The Duchess donned a waterproof black sailing jacket and trousers having changed out of the Alexander McQueen outfit she arrived in this morning, and she sensibly swapped her navy suede pumps for a pair of trainers. 

After the outing on the water Sir Ben added: 'It was fantastic to take our royal patron onboard T1 during our training session on the Solent today.

'It was also great to have the Duchess's support with opening the team's new Tech Deck and education centre. 

'A lot of work has gone into developing the facility for young people and we hope to inspire more young people to consider opportunitities and careers within Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects and the marine sector in future.'

Oliver Matthews, 12, a pupil at St Edmund's Catholic School, Portsmouth, demonstrates a power grinding machine, which trains sailors to use the grinder that pushes the wing in and generates power for the boat

Kate opened the 1851 Trust Visitor Centre, unveiling a mural she had contributed to on her previous visit in 2015

Kate joined year seven students from the nearby St Edmund's school who were taking part in the #STEMCREW digital workshop activity on i-Pads

The Duchess adjusts her Alexander McQueen skirt with gold nautical buttons 

Members of the Land Rover BAR team explained new technologies to the royal visitor 

The Duchess's session on the water came after she visited Sir Ben's Land Rover BAR team headquarters in Portsmouth and met young sailors and school pupils learning about sailing technology.

Arriving in Portsmouth this morning, Kate wore a £580 nautical style pencil skirt with flirty kick pleats by Alexander McQueen, and a £795 blouse by the same designer.

She's known for her down-to-earth fashion and true to form Kate had thriftily recycled the outfit from her existing wardrobe.

It was a third outing for the ensemble which Kate first wore on a visit to Birmingham with Prince William in 2011 to meet with communities affected by the riots that summer.

The Duchess swapped her heels fro trainers as she prepared to take to the seas

THE BAR team took the Duchess of Cambridge on the training circuit of The Solent

A blustery wind whipped Kate's hair around (left), but she sensibly tied it back in a ponytail to keep it under control beneath her helmet (right)

Like old friends: The Duchess has visited Sir Ben in Portsmouth to see his work on three occasions in the last year 

Ahead of taking to the water Kate donned a life jacket and made sure her helmet was securely fastened 

The sporty royal looked confident ahead of her trip on the water with the country's elite sailing team 

Sir Ben led the way as the pair headed off for their training session 

Kate looked perfectly at home as she prepared to take to the water with Sir Ben

Hold on tight: The Duchess of Cambridge prepares for a thrilling high speed trip in a racing yacht

The two-piece also made an appearance when she visited Bletchley Park, where her grandmother was a code breaker, in June 2014.

Kate was in Portsmouth in her role as royal patron of the 1851 Trust, a charity set up as part of the Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR), which is aiming to win the prestigious racing tournament the America's Cup in 2017.

She launched two initiatives aimed at involving children and young adults from diverse backgrounds in sailing and the technology of the sport. 

Sir Ben showed the Duchess a full size model of his racing boat and introduced her to his technical team

Sir Ben said it had been fantastic to have the royal patron join his team for the day 

The sailing enthusiast was interested to hear about Sir Ben's new craft

When Kate, a keen yachtswoman in her youth, was introduced to some of the young sailors outside the team headquarters, she told one group: 'I'd really like to get out on the water more.'

Sir Keith Mills, chairman of the 1851 Trust, told her: 'We can fix that.'

She was welcomed to BAR this morning by Sir Ben himself, Sir Keith Mills - entrepreneur and Deputy Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games - and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Lindsay Fox. 

Kate, 34, laughed delightedly as she shared a joke with Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth

The Duchess carried a quilted clutch bag which matched her naval style Alexander McQueen outfit

Kate waved to well wishers as she strolled along with Sir Ben Ainslie this morning in Portsmouth 

The gold anchor buttons on Kate's blouse and skirt were the perfect touch to her nautical style ensemble 

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Lindsay Fox curtseys as she greets the Duchess

It is the third time that the Duchess has visited the BAR base in Portsmouth.

She first dropped by in February 2015 before the centre was opened, while she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte.

She visited again during the first round of the America's Cup World Series which was held in the city last July before being cut short by heavy winds and rain. 

Kate looked delighted to be catching up with Sir Ben Ainslie on her third visit to his projects in Portsmouth

The Duchess opened the 1851 Trust Visitor Centre, unveiling a mural she had contributed to on her previous visit in February 2015

Kate chatted to school children who were taking part in a digital workshop

The Duchess joined students learning how Land Rover BAR vessels are designed to battle the elements

The Duchess of Cambridge chats to Sir Ben Ainslie (right ) at the Land Rover BAR and the 1851 Trust, at Range Rover BAR Portsmouth, Hampshire

Kate, 34, sported a nautical style Alexander McQueen two piece as she arrived looking slightly windswept

Kate recycled a £580 nautical style Alexander McQueen pencil skirt with flirty kick pleats, and a £795 blouse by the same designer

When the Duchess visited Sir Ben and his team in February last year, she had a go on a power grinding machine, which trains sailors to use the grinder that pushes the wing in and generates power for the boat.

This time she watched Oliver Matthews, 12, a pupil at St Edmund's Catholic School, Portsmouth, having a go on the training machine. He had been chosen after performing well on his first try but at one point looked to be running out of puff. 

Kate cheered him on. 'Is this the second time you've done this as well?' she asked. 'Well done. Thank you so much for showing me.'

'It was very tiring,' Oliver said afterwards. 

Like many children in the city, he had grown up only a couple of miles from water but had never had the opportunity to go out sailing. 

'I'd like to do it but I've never really had the chance to,' he said.

The Duchess was also shown how the team is using 360 degrees goggles and 'bone conductor' technology under helmets to improve their sound and vision on their busy and noisy boat. Headphones built into their helmets transmit sound through the crew's skulls

Sir Ben's nephew, Oscar Pels, 12, showed off the technology, wearing a helmet. 

'You're entirely in your own world,' Kate said laughing.

Brushing away a strand of hair, the Duchess was looking a little windswept as she arrived 

Flirty kick pleats in Kate's skirts showed off her slim legs

She opened the 1851 Trust Visitor Centre, unveiling a mural she had contributed to on her previous visit in 2015. 

The mural, showing a sailing scene, was part of a hoarding around the office when it was a building site. In February last year the Duchess joined local schoolchildren and art groups who painted panels. Back then Kate helped paint in details of Sir Ben's boat but missed him out.

' I can't see you, Ben,' Sir Keith Mills said. The Olympic hero replied: 'They seem to have missed me out for some reason.'

Kate also officially opened the new Tech Deck Education Centre at the base, which will showcase the sport's innovation, technology and sustainability for schools and community groups.    

The Tech Deck will also allow visitors to experience the design principles, construction and on-going operation of the team's America's Cup boats first-hand.

Keen sailing fan Kate enjoys a warm relationship with Sir Ben Ainslie and is making her third visit to his projects in Portsmouth

The Duchess will have a chance to see the exhibits as well as Sir Ben's latest racing catamaran, the T2, and its designers

Sailing fan Kate shares a joke with Sir Ben Ainslie as she prepares to see how his projects are using sailing and the marine industry to inspire young people in sport, education and technology

The Duchess chatted with youngsters who are involved with the Portsmouth Sailing Project

The Duchess had the chance to see the exhibits as well as Sir Ben's latest racing catamaran, the T2, and meet its designers.

She then joined year seven students from the nearby St Edmund's school who were taking part in the #STEMCREW digital workshop activity on i-Pads.

Such workshops aim to encourage young people to engage in Stem (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects by focusing on the America's Cup challenge. 

The mother-of-two look fresh faced and natural and kept her make-up natural. She wore her brunette locks curled at the ends

The thrifty royal recycled and Alexander McQueen ensemble she's worn on two previous occasions

It was Kate's second official engagement of the week after launching a new mental health campaign on Tuesday 

Katie with Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie, the most successful sailor in Olympic history

The Duchess also joined students learning how Land Rover BAR vessels are designed to battle the elements.

She chatted to Savannah Gilaj, India Joly and Ashlyn Collins, all 15 and pupils at Brune Park Community School in Gosport, Hants.

Ashlyn said: 'She asked us if we had ever been sailing, whether we were going to be sailing, she asked us if we enjoy sport and are we looking forward to it.

She said of Kate that she was struck by 'how pretty she was,' adding: 'It was so amazing. You see her on TV, you kind of don't don't think of her as a real person and then to meet her was amazing.

During the visit Kate was said to be more keen to chat to young people than adults, to find out about their experiences of sailing 

Keen sailor Kate shared some of her experiences as she chatted to young people from local schools 

While chatting to young people, Kate was keen to know if they were interested in sailing and what their experiences were 

'She said she enjoyed sailing and we should definitely have a go.'

In August the three will take part in Go Sail, an introductory sailing course run by UKSA, formerly the UK Sailing Academy.

It will give 2,000 14-16 year olds a chance to try out dinghy sailing, with around 12 per cent of them also taking part in a five-day 'learn to' sailing course.

Ashlyn added:'I'm really excited, but nervous at the same time.'

Chris Frisby, Head of Operations at UKSA, said: 'I think the kids will definitely look up to her. She would rather spend more time talking to the kids than the adults.

Sir Ben showed the Duchess the T2, his latest racing catamaran 

Kate arriving at the new visitor's centre for the 1852 Trust in Portsmouth 

The Duchess was delighted to meet young people who have been inspired to get involved in sailing 

'It's great for them to meet her and hear about her sailing and what she's done and where she's sailed before.'

Sir Ben Ainslie started sailing at the age of eight and is the most successful sailor in Olympic history. 

He was a medallist at every games from 1996 to 2012, including winning gold in the Finn Class in 2004, 2008 and 2012

The sportsman now hopes that in 2017 he will lead Britain to its first victory in the America's Cup yacht race since its inception in 1851.

To that end he is developing and leading an entry in conjunction with Land Rover, that's capable of winning. 

Today he showed the Duchess a full size model of his racing boat and introduced her to members of his technical team, including one, Richard Hopkins, the head of systems who previously worked as Lewis Hamilton's engineer at Formula One's Red Bull team.

And he is working to secure the future of the sport by encouraging children from all backgrounds to take up sailing, a cause also close to Kate's heart.

The Duchess of Cambridge gave her nautical style Alexander McQueen outfit its third outing today (left). She also wore it on a visit to Bletchley Park in June 2014 (centre) and on an official visit to Birmingham in August 2011 (right)

The Duchess pictured at Summerfield Community Centre in Birmingham in August 2011 - the first time her nautical style Alexander McQueen outfit made an appearance

Kate also wore the two-piece during an official visit to Bletchley Park, pictured, in June 2014

Kate is Royal Patron of the 1851 Trust, set up to leave a sporting legacy of the British challenge for the cup.

Kate is a keen sailing fan and famously beat the Duke of Cambridge during a race around Auckland Harbour on their official visit to Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

Earlier this week, Kate joined her husband the Duke of Cambridge and brother-in-law Prince Harry at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London for the inaugural Heads Together event. 

Kate had her brunette locks in a straighter style than normal with a side parting 

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Lindsay Fox welcomed the Duchess to Portsmouth

Sir Keith Mills, who was deputy chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Duchess

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the America's Cup base of sailing champion Sir Ben Ainslie in Portsmouth to see how youngsters are being inspired to join the marine industry

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Sir Keith Mills as she arrives at the Land Rover BAR Base HQ in Portsmouth, to visit the 1851 Trust to see how it is using sailing and the marine industry to inspire young people in sport, education and technology

Heads Together is a new initiative which brings together some of the country's leading mental health charities to encourage people to speak openly about their issues and seek help.

A spokesman for the trio said: 'The launch event will be an opportunity for Their Royal Highnesses to outline their personal interest in establishing the campaign and will set an ambitious target of what they want Heads Together to achieve.

'Through this campaign they are keen to build on the great work that is already taking place across the country, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing, feel able to support their friends and families through difficult times, and that stigma no longer prevents people getting the help they need.'

The Duchess visited the team technical areas at the Royal Navy Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, during a visit on the second day of the opening leg of the America's Cup World Series last July 

Kate also visited the HQ of Ben Ainslie Racing in February 2015 ahead of its opening, while she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte 

The royals also gave a joint speech at the event, to highlight their passion for promoting better mental health.

Kate spoke about how people often keep their problems hidden because they're too scared to admit they are struggling.

'This fear of judgment stops people from getting the help they need, which can destroy families and end lives,' she said.