Paul Goodison might have kick started his London 2012 Olympic journey
with Skandia Sail for Gold bronze, but he insists it is only half a job
done.

The 33-year-old was pushed all the way by British rival Nick
Thompson on the Olympic waters in Weymouth with the added carrot of the
sole Laser spot at Augusts’ Olympic test event available.

And despite trailing behind for most of the week-long regatta,
Olympic champion Goodison timed his run to perfection, ending up third
while Thompson slipped down to finish fifth.

But with a return to the Dorset coast almost imminently on the
cards, Goodison isn’t about to pop the champagne corks any time soon,
admitting there is still plenty to play for.

“Finishing as top Brit is the first half of a job done,” said
Goodison – an Olympic, world and European champion and current world
No.1.

“Nick’s done a fantastic job, came out of the blocks firing and
looked really strong and it took me a little bit of a while to get in to
my stride and catch up and go past.

“So it has been tough, it has been quite stressful, but I’m pretty
relieved that’s all done with and hopefully I’ll be going to the test
event.

“I’ve got a little bit of a break now, I’m off to Sardinia for the
Audi Cup so I’m quite excited about that and then it’s back to normal.

“I’ll be back to Weymouth and training and getting ready for the
pre-Olympics, where hopefully I can do a bit better than this week.

“With the bigger picture being qualifying for the test event, I
would have thought I’d say I’d be happy with a bronze but it could have
been better in the final.

“So while I am happy I know I still have things to work on and now
it is about carrying this on at the test event and cementing my London
2012 spot.”

Australian Tom Slingsby, who finished well down in 23rd as Goodison
won Olympic gold in 2008, claimed his third straight Sail for Gold
title, clearly comfortable on the 2012 waters.

With Sail for Gold acting as the penultimate ISAF World Cup leg
Slingsby’s win extended his lead at the top with Goodison and Thompson
in second and third respectively.

But Goodison is hoping to make the most of home advantage when it
really matters, not looking to let go of the Olympic title he claimed in
Beijing in a hurry.

“The more time we spend in Weymouth, the more excited everybody
gets,” he added. “Sail for Gold almost felt like it could well be the
Olympics.

“With the atmosphere around and everybody there – everybody is
sailing flat out to try and win and it’s just going to get more exciting
as we get closer to the Games.

“Congratulations to Tom for the win, he sailed really well but
hopefully it will be me who has the gold when it comes down to it – that
is obviously the ultimate aim.”

Investment specialist Skandia is the principal sponsor of the British sailing team. For more information go to www.skandiateamgbr.com