Sailing: Ainslie looks to the present

Ben Ainslie, gold medallist in the Laser class in the 2000 Olympic Games, was equal second overall last night in the Finn singlehander in the pre-Olympic regatta at Athens.

A focused Ainslie, when asked if he would take it easy this week in order to save himself for next month's defence of his world title, said: "I will absolutely try my best in this event."

His comments that the course was tricky indicate this could be the most challenging Olympic venue in 20 years.

In the two-man Star class keelboat, Britain's World Champion, Iain Percy who won gold in the Finn in 2000, was the overnight leader ahead of Brazil's double Olympic medallist Torben Grael who missed the start of the first race by more than three minutes.