The biggest opening for the sailing Olympics sees Ainslie in front of thousands
It’s difficult to Imagine how Ben Ainslie could be under more pressure. Not only has his quest to become the top Olympic sailor of all time been widely publicised around the world, but his opening race is the first of the Games and takes place on the notoriously shifty race course at the Nothe.
Here for the first time, thousands of spectators will watch his every move. There will be no place to hide and huge national expectations. No one wantrs to even mention it, but all are secretly fearing a Cavendish moment. Not that Ben can lose his medla prospects in one race of course. Out of 10 races, the results of nine will count. But Ben does have a bit of history in faltering at the start.
In China last time he was recovering from a bout of mumps. In Athens he had a dreadful start and then a disqualification. Here, as far as we know, he’s fit and well and ready to take on the challenge.
But overall, if there’s one thing Ben responds to well, it’s being under stupid amounts of pressure.
We will be out on the water reporting on both the Finn racing and the opening races for the Star where Britain’s Percy and Simpson have to prove that they have what it takes to beat the Brazilian favourites, Scheidt and Prada.
Watch our live photo bog through Livestream for the very latest of the action in pictures and words.
1200 Finn – 1 race – Nothe
1200 49er – practice race – Portland Harbour
1200 Laser and Laser Radial – practice race – Weymouth Bay South
1330 Match Racing – Nothe
1330 Star – 2 races – Weymouth Bay West
1330 Finn – 1 race – Weymouth Bay West
LINKS
YW Goes Live
To stay in touch with every move of every day as the sailing Olympics gets under way, check in with our new YW/Livestream site where we will keep you updated with a daily stream of pictures and words from front of house to backstage at the 2012 Olympics.
YW Olympic Microsite
Make sure you bookmark our dedicated Olympic website
www.yachtingworld.com/olympics-2012
What when and where?
Download the race schedule showing which classes are sailing on which course areas as well as details of the courses themselves
www.yachtingworld.com/olympicschedule