London, United Kingdom
After dominating the Finn class at the Palma World Cup regatta, British sailing superstar Ben Ainslie is now focusing on the upcoming 2012 Olympics as he tries to put his recent back problems behind him.
Ainslie, one of Great Britain's medal hopes in the London Games, has endured a difficult summer, which included a disqualification at the World Championships last December.
The three-time Olympic champion Ainslie was disqualified at the 2011 ISAF World championships after physically threatening a photographer during the regatta. Ainslie was winning the regatta when he was found guilty of gross misconduct.
Ainslie then underwent surgery to address a back problem.
"There's a lot of hard work to go yet in the coming months to get the preparation absolutely right for the Games," the 35-year-old Ainslie said via the Mail Online.
"I think for everybody involved it's going to be a fantastic experience. I'm very, very excited about it and I hope London does us proud."
Ainslie dominated the Laser class at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) after that success.
He then gained some 18 kilograms that enabled him to move to the larger Finn class, which allowed to participate in the 2004 Athens Games and win his second Olympic gold medal.
Ainslie, who was promoted to Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 in recognition of his triumph at the Athens Games, was again promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009, after dominating the Finn class at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Ainslie also captured the silver medal in the Laser class at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Ainslie has also been recognized with the ISAF World Sailor of the Year a record three times ('98, '02, and '08). He was also nominated to the International Sailing Federation top award in 2004 and 2011.
100 days to go until London 2012 Olympics
- Samsung and Visa Team Up for Limited Edition Galaxy S III
- Michael Phelps to Retire After 2012 Summer Olympics
- Britain May Deploy Missiles for 2012 London Summer Olympics
- Olympic-Bound Sailors Set Bearings Using Navy SEAL-Style Training
- Sailing Star Ben Ainslie on Course for 2012 London Olympics
- Burkas to Tracksuits
- David Beckham's Olympic Dream Still Alive
- Stella McCartney Unveils Adidas Line for London 2012 Olympics
- Saudi Women on Their Way to London Olympics
- Female Beach Volleyball Players Can Shed Bikinis at 2012 Olympics
- United States Men's Soccer Team Fails In Olympic Qualifying Bid
- New Zealand Women's Match-Racing Crew on Course for London Olympics
- Olympic Brands Accused of Labor Abuse Scandal
- Siblings Zach and Paige Railey Ready for Sailing Event at Olympics
- Teen Table Tennis Star Ariel Hsing Balancing School and Olympic Dream
- Saudis to Let Women Compete in Olympics
- Usain Bolt Eyes Four Golds at 2012 London Olympics
Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved