The Olympic sailing test event has given three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie a chance to master the elements and establish a lead.
Ainslie, who has been based on Portland while training for the 2012 sailing test event, picked up two race wins in yesterday’s men’s heavyweight Finn dinghy event to claim an unassailable 19-point lead over the rest of the fleet.
He said of the 22-knot winds, "Certainly it's very challenging conditions. It's quite hard to read the wind and to decide which side is going to pay so I think it's keeping everyone on their toes. It’s been a good day, it’s been tough all week. I’m happy with how I sailed, it’s good to seal victory already and to take the pressure off the medal race”
The regatta is part of the yachting teams’ selection for next year’s Olympics, and Ainslie is leading a strong squad. “It’s important for me personally to do well and to learn about the conditions in Weymouth and Portland” he said.
The sailing legend has vowed to put on ‘a good show’ in today’s medal race, which will be held on a race course close to the 2012 Nothe as a test for next year’s ticketed spectator area.
“The goal is always to try to win, it’s not always easy. JP (Jan Pieter Postma) from Holland and Jonathon Lobert of France have both sailed really well, and the medal race is another good opportunity to learn about the venue. It’s on the course by the headland which by all accounts is a tricky place to sail, it will be good to finish off with a good show.” he said.
Fellow Skandia Team GBR member Nick Dempsey ended the fifth day of the RS:X men's windsurfing tournament level on points at the top of the leaderboard with Dorian van Rijsselberg of the Netherlands. Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes held on to overall fourth in the 49er event.
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