Ainslie optimistic about Olympic chances

9:00pm Monday 24th September 2007

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Ben Ainslie believes his role as Britain's new America's Cup skipper will aid his preparations for next year's Olympic Games.

The double Olympic sailing champion, from Lymington, was not named in the first wave of Skandia Team GBR Beijing-bound selections last week.

Royal Yachting Association officials remain unconvinced that his demanding role with Sir Keith Mills' Team Origin will not hamper his medal chances.

Ainslie missed last week's Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth but won the Finn class in the recent test regatta at Qingdao, the 2008 Olympic venue.

And he said: ''I hope I'm going to the Olympics.

''I want to go but it's down to the selection committee to decide who they think the best person is.

''Sailing is a very diverse sport and there are a lot of challenges. The America's Cup is one of my goals, along with winning Olympic gold medals.

''I'm sure that the America's Cup will play a big role in the rest of my career and I think it has been the right thing for me to do at this time.

''But I proved by winning the pre-Olympic regatta last month that it has not been bad for my sailing.

''If I'm selected for Beijing I will be competitive.'' British number two Ed Wright won in Weymouth last week to underline his claims, with rising star Giles Scott finishing third.

And Wright explained: ''You've got to respect what Ben has achieved but I can step into his shoes - without a doubt.

''The selectors like to pick medal winners and proven winners but I just want that chance to prove that I can do it.

''Ben has got to come out and race me. If he takes his eye off the ball, that could play into my hands.

''There really should be two spots because if I'd been sailing for any other country, I'd have selected a long time ago.

''I deserve to be there, whether Ben is there or not.''