Ainslie, 33, who was unbeaten in the Finn between the Athens and Beijing Olympics, lacked specific fitness and was below his optimum weight, meaning he struggled in heavier breezes, when he returned to the Finn in July's Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth, finishing fourth behind team-mate Giles Scott.

"I am clear now what the situation is regarding London 2012 qualification and next summer is going to be really important," he said in his blog published today on insidethegames.

"After the Dubai Louis Vuitton Trophy America's Cup event in November it is my plan to go back into full-time Finn training over the winter, probably spending time in southern Europe, with an eye on the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January being the next time I race in the Finn."

Ainslie, whose achievements in Beijing were compared to those of Usain Bolt by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, knows what he has to work on before 2012.

"I found going upwind in the breeze very difficult and quite slow, which was frustrating," wrote Ainslie, who is currently skippering Team Origin, the British attempt to win the America's Cup.

"Seeing it as a challenge, and trying to get the best result I possibly could at the times I was struggling, was important and I was ally pleased that even in those races I was able to post some reasonable results."

"That was a hugely positive mental boost and there is almost a brutal satisfaction that comes with pushing your body physically to its limits."

To read Ainslie's full blog click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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